\\\'Formalin sellers\\\' list being prepared\\\'

Dhaka Metropolitan Police is preparing a list of those selling formalin, a hazardous chemical used to preserve food, as part of its drive against adulteration. Bangladesh imports the chemical far in excess of its actual demand, DMP Joint Commissioner Monirul Islam has said. ‘We have to find out how traders are importing this, and who are they selling it to.’ Detectives have already gathered useful information on the matter. ‘Police will talk to businesspersons to find out why so much of formalin is coming into the country,’ said the official. The government has deployed mobile courts in the city and other parts of the country to try those selling formalin tainted foods. Besides, police teams have been deployed on Thursday which will be scouring the country’s fish, fruit and grocery markets to impound and destroy food stuff having high formalin content. The rampant use of the preservative has exposed public health to high risk, experts have said. In Dhaka, the DMP has set up eight posts to scan seasonal fruits coming into the city, according to a news agency.