Goa: Amid formalin scare, government bans fish import for 6 months

On Saturday, the Goa government announced a ban on import of fish into the state for the next six months.

This move came against the backdrop of a scare in the coastal state that formalin, a potential cancer-causing chemical, was being used to preserved fish.

Vishwajit Rane- Goa Health Minister, announced the ban on Saturday and added that if need be, its duration could be extended by another six months, till measures to check the quality of fish are in place in the state.

Health Minister told reporters, “Till such measures are in place (to test fish), the import of fish into Goa is banned for six months with immediate effect.”

For the second time this year, the state government is banning fish imports. The earlier ban was imposed for 15 days, by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in July.

Later on the ban was lifted after the government introduced border checks for trucks bringing fish into Goa.

Mr Rane further added that the state government would set up testing laboratories with Central agencies like Quality Council of India, Export Inspection Council and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.

The minister also accused fish-importing traders of failing to comply with the set guidelines laid down by Goa Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).

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