Feick P, Haas SRL, Singer MV and Ocker UB (2006). The widespread use of formalin, in preservation of fish, fruit and other food items is posing a threat to public health. Formalin is used to preserve the fish itself and is typically injected into the fish or prawn. Frozen fishes may be brought to the Ichthyology Collection but formalin fixation is highly recommended for all routine collections (specimens destined for certain specialized studies such as histological work may be fixed in various other ways). Among the total fish production, one fourth become inedible in every year accounting uncountable losses to the traders and producers (DoF, 2011). Recent advances in gene expression profiling underscore the importance of identifying a fixative that preserves histology and mRNA. Thus, the objective of the present study was toconduct quantitative risk assessment (QRA) for formalin treated fish in Bangladesh. J. (Divya Karnad and Chaitanya Krishna co-founded InSeason Fish, a sustainable seafood initiative), Printable version | Apr 6, 2021 2:00:49 PM | https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/food/is-formalin-present-in-your-fish-heres-how-to-buy-unadulterated-seafood/article24431555.ece. Wheras local rui fishes were free from formalin while 15% of total Kachki sample were formalin positive indicating that intensity of misuse of formalin was more in Barmij rui than Kachki. What is formalin? Context: With many in Odisha’s dried-fish industry continuing to use formalin despite being warned, the state government is planning to take measures including punishments, awareness and introduction of new hygenic methods. Therefore, the same distinctions need to be made when discussing the problem of adulteration in what is being reported as seafood. 10 weeks preserving in 10% formalin that probably was due to period and method of preserving in 10% formalin. Instead, fresh fish have the salty smell that we associate with clean seas. This difference is probably due to the sources of fishes, from where they are coming from. Illegal usage of formaldehyde and ammonia by fishermen and fish sellers for longer preservation of fish and other seafoods during sales and transportation has recently become a problem. Over the last few days, the word formalin or formaldehyde is on the lips of most fish-loving Goans, after the state Food and Drugs Administration cracked down on consignments of fish from other states laced with the chemical. Present status of marketing of formalin treated fishes in domestic markets in mymensingh district in Bangladesh. Formaldehyde is the active ingredient that is used to treat some waterborne micro-organisms. 44‰ (mean and standard deviation) in δ 13 C values when considering all species grouped (Table 1, Fig. Percentage of formalin contaminated fishes found in different fish markets. Formalin contamination in SIS versus large fish. According to Haque and Mohsin (2009) among the four fish markets of Dhaka city (Kawran Bazar fish market, Savar Bazar fish market, Mirpur Bazar fish market and Jatrabari fish market) the highest percentage of formalin treated fishes were found in Kawran Bazar fish market (48%) and lowest in Savar Bazar fish market (14%). If the original strength is 40%, it should be mixed at a ratio af nine parts water to one part formalin. The advantages of freeze fixation are threefold: 1) provided fixation time is not more that two weeks, color preservation is excellent, 2) because And ask them questions about where and how your fish was caught. In this market, imported fish such as Barmij rui, Barmij catla and other species of fish were also available and came from the Chittagong. From the time immemorial, fish and fisheries play a significant role in the economy of Bangladesh in terms of animal protein supply, employment, earning of foreign currency and poverty alleviation. VERTEBRATES PRESERVATION 1. Formalin is used to preserve the fish itself and is typically injected into the fish or prawn. DO NOT USE if a fish has open wounds. Fish samples were washed by little amount of water and washed water collected into the test tube/vial. Shouldn’t the smell of formalin raise red flags? Adequate initial fixation is critical for long-term preservation. About 300 freshwater fish samples have been tested and among them 15% formalin treated fish was found. The misuse of formalin was more in marine fishes from Chittagong and imported fishes from Mayanmar. The imported fish were distributed in whole country from the Chittagong. In some areas, the purchase of formalin is prohibited. These reports described in detail the effects of the adulterants: Twenty eight tonnes of fish and prawns preserved with formalin were seized from across the country last month. This advice is comparatively easy to follow if you live along the coast. The fishy smell that we associate with seafood exists only in fish that have started to decay. In Bangladesh, fishes are adulterated by hazardous chemicals at different steps from farm to consumers. A total of 500 fish samples were collected to detect the presence of formalin in fish during January to September, 2014. Some fishmongers point to red gills as the way to detect whether fish is fresh. Formalin contamination in imported fish in Jessore. Here’s how to buy unadulterated seafood, TN Assembly Polls | An election of firsts. Formalin in Fish . Formalin (FA) is reported to be frequently added as preservative either by dipping or spraying to the fresh fishes by the fish traders while transporting to domestic marketing chain to prevent spoilage and extend shelf life. Buffered formalin is necessary to examine the previous collection of the prepared by adding three grams of borax per litre of 10% concerned group to know the various localities of the formalin solution. In the short term it poses a risk of spontaneous abortion for pregnant women and also lowers immunity. The underlying motive of using formalin on fish (either as a dip or through ice laced/or made with formalin as an ingredient) is: to extend the storage life of fresh or chilled fish to artificially improve the sensory attributes i.e. The advantages of freeze fixation are threefold: 1) provided fixation time is not more that two weeks, color preservation is excellent, 2) because The fish traders of the imported fish were very careful about transportation of the imported fish from Mayanmar and India to Jessore. What is formalin? A novel non-cross-linking, formalin-free tissue fixative that allows high quality morphologic, molecular and FISH analyses from the same specimen by addition of a post-fixation step before FISH is presented. A third characteristic is the firmness of the raw meat at room temperature. In fact, the offending seizures consisted of prawns, and freshwater fish from aquaculture. middle, upstream, midstream and downstream. In 2012, 1 billion rupiah (almost US$100,000) of fish imported from Pakistan to Batam, Indonesia, were found laced with formaldehyde. In the study area, formalin was found in 4.2% of total sampled fish. Journal of Fisheries International, 4: 52-54. Effects of Formalin and Alcohol Preservation on Juvenile Sockeye Salmon • Shields and Carlson 83 Reports of preservation effects on fish length also vary. It has been found out that unscrupulous fishmongers are using formalin, a chemical used to preserve dead bodies in mortuaries, to prevent their catch from rotting away. Results showed that intensity of formalin use in Jessore district is nearly similar to the Dhaka city. Although both Barmij rui  and Kachki are freshwater fish, Barmij rui come from Mayanmar and takes huge time to reach consumer table which makes it more vulnerable to microbial attack and hence it spoils quickly. If a prawn or a fish is cultured in a pond on land, can it be considered seafood? Typically, formalin has a strong smell, which should immediately put off consumers. Figure1 Formalin is a solution in water of the gas formaldehyde (CH 2 O). Tel. In the long term it can decrease fertility and has been identified as a carcinogen. Experts say that formalin per se cannot be used for the preservation of fish which is meant for consumption. Formalin was found in Kachki, Mola and Barmij Rui which consist of 15% of freshwater fish species. Specimens should first be killed by means of a chemical anesthetic such as MS-222, or a similarly acting substance. 1(4): 21-24. Katchki comes from distance places like Chittagong is more vulnerable to microbial attack, therefore, it requires more attention to keep it fresh. formalin should be stabilized with 10% methanol, a preparation that is commercially available. Skin can become irritated if it comes into contact with a strong solution of formaldehyde. It also contains little to no methanol unlike treatment formalin. Food Science Technology, 44: 1485–1494. The eyes of fish that have been dead for over two days start becoming cloudy. Copyright © 2021 Shobuj Bangladesh Publication House. In 2011, a report from Delhi focussed on the presence of formalin. Aculture news, 34. Journal of Fisheries International, 4: 52-54. Therefore the condition of the fins and tail will immediately reveal the freshness. Since formalin is harmful to the human body, monitoring and surveillance system should be actived to detect and dispose of the formalin treated fish in order to prevent this illegal trade. Cats won't eat if chemical smell of Ammonia salts or Formalin are present in the fish. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 48: 308-319. Fishes were snout pointing downwards and then filled with freshly collected using nets, traps, hooks and lines, prepared preservative. So, the tendency of misuse of formalin was more in Barmij rui than Kachki. Burgner (1962) determined that large sockeye salmon smolts after 5.5 months in 10% formalin shrank by 4.6% of their live length and by 6.8% for smaller specimens. It can cause cancer and many poses many other health risks. Intensity of Formalin Use for Consumable Fish Preservation in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. In 2014, there was a seizure in Kerala, contaminated with both ammonia and formalin, and in 2016 this issue arose in Mangalore. Try and source directly from small-scale fishermen, who catch seasonal fish, and supply you with local varieties. Staff members working with these collections are not generally at risk of chemical injury from the fluids unless a jar breaks. This study indicated that more or less the consumers of Jessore District are taking formalin through consumption of fish which is alarming both for consumers and retailers. If the fins have started to shrivel and decay, then avoid the fish. In the study, 300 freshwater fish samples were tested and among them 45 fishes were treated by formalin which occupies 15%. It''s also used as an antiseptic in sterilising … Preservation of biological specimens; Embalming (treating human remains to delay their decomposition) Disinfectant for hospital appliances; Preservation of living organism’s cell Only in Boro bazar and Monirampur Bazar, formalin contaminated ilish were found (Fig. Key words: Formalin, fish, Barmij Rui, Katchki, Mola, Jessore. Meherunnesa (2008) observed that more formalin positive samples were found in the fish sampled in the evening than those collected early in the morning in Dhaka fish markets. Some freshwater fishes available in the domestic market were produced locally but the fishes were come from outside usually contaminated with formalin. When foreign news sources spoke about mercury levels in fish, it seemed very far away from our shores. Then 15 drops from solution No.1 was added in the test tube containing washed out water and after well stirring, the solution was allowed to wait for 30 second. In Bangladesh, for the first time this formalin treated fishes were … A Report Published in Daily Star. A total of 500 fish samples were collected to detect the presence of formalin in fish during January to September, 2014. Really fresh fish have clear eyes. Unscrupulous fish wholesalers are using formalin, a toxic and carcinogenic chemical commonly used to preserve dead bodies in mortuaries, to prevent fish from deteriorating during transportation. But what about weather issues, safety and a fuss-free menu? 44‰ (mean and standard deviation) in δ 13 C values when considering all species grouped (Table 1, Fig. Formalin contamination of foods has been reported in Bangladesh, with stores and supermarkets selling fruits, fishes, and vegetables that have been treated with formalin to keep them fresh. Formalin must be diluted with water before it is used as a preservative. Formalin (FA) is reported to be frequently added as preservative either by dipping or spraying to the fresh fishes by the fish traders while transporting to domestic marketing chain to prevent spoilage and extend shelf life. In the study area, among the fish markets Boro bazar (sadar upazila) was the largest raw products’ market for whole sale and retail sale. Therefore, the present study was conducted to verify the presence or absence of formaldehyde and ammonia in fish and other seafoods that are commercially important for India, which are obtained from fish … This 10% neutral-buffered formalin (10% NBF) should not be used to treat fish parasites or water mold/fungus and, likewise, 100% formalin should not be used to preserve tissues. E-mail address: debbfri@gmail.com (DK Mondal)          Copyright@2014 Int. appearance, so as to give a facade of fresh fish. Some Kachki were come from nearby districts and some from distant part of the country and the traders used the ice box for preservation. Among those markets, maximum numbers of the formalin treated fishes were found in Boro bazar while minimum numbers of formalin treated fish were found in Jhikorgacha Bazar. Red gills could be a false symbol of freshness. Formalin is a 37% aqueous (water) solution of formaldehyde and is an authorised medicine. Similarly in our study a good amount of fishes are produced by local aqua farms or captured from different rivers and baors in Jessore district but many fishes also coming from outside of the district. Once the scales have started to dry out and feel more like sandpaper, you can tell that the fish is old. The traders used specialized ice box for transportation of the imported fish. In Dhaka city, maximum fishes were coming from different districts. 1). This shocking practice came to light after fisheries department authorities in neighbouring Punjab sounded an alert. However, the detection of formalin in the local market indicating the contamination of formalin by either during transportation or during selling in local market. Fishes may also be political boundaries of the aquatic system. not deteriorated in any way. Fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) is often required in combination with histopathology and molecular diagnostics for selection of therapy in personalized medicine. A total of 500 fish samples were collected to detect the presence of formalin in fish during January to September, 2014. Haque, E and Mohsin ABM  (2009). The percentage of formalin contaminated fish of Monirampur bazar fish market, Chougacha bazar fish market and Benapol bazar fish market were more or less similar. A strength of 10% formalin is best for most purposes. Toxicology, 219: 60-72. Five markets named Boro bazar (sadar upazila), Jhikorgacha fish market, Monirampur bazar fish market, Chougacha bazar fish market, Benapol bazar fish market, were selected for testing of formalin contamination in consumable fish. This is especially useful for field studies, where laboratory access is limited. Formalin-Laced Fish Seized: How To Detect This Toxic Agent & Safeguard Your Health. Typically the plankton sample is washed from the cod end into a quart or gallon jar and filled three-quarters full with seawater. Some past seizures have implicated the most high-value varieties of sea fish but the majority of the seizures have been grown in farms for aquaculture. Fish Stomachs. The kit contained three solutions. In Bangladesh, for the first time this formalin treated fishes were traced from the traders in 2006 during an operation against impure food of a mobile court led by Metropolitan Magistrate Rokon-Ud-Doula (Kausar, 2007). Biologicals, 30: 37-41. Illegal usage of formaldehyde and ammonia by fishermen and fish sellers for longer preservation of fish and other seafoods during sales and transportation has recently become a problem. A strength of 10% formalin is best for most purposes. As a great seafood eater and wildlife biologist, hailing from Kerala says, “Always go to the fish shop with flies, because the flies can tell whether the fish have been contaminated.”. At the same time, formalin-laced fish may not have a fishy smell, so the way to distinguish between formalin-contaminated and fresh fish is to look for flies. One large study of people with asthma found that they may be more sensitive to the effects of inhaled formaldehyde than other people. However, when formalin is used in a fish, the fish retains the red coloured gills. About 80,000 kg formalin fish enter country every day: No policy for fish import yet. Further evaluation is needed to determine the clinical usefulness of the manual RBC count in fish. Marsh GM, Youk AO, Buchanich JM, S Erdal and Esmen NA (2007). For example, 10% neutral-buffered formalin (NBF, or simply formalin) is really a 4% (v/v) formaldehyde solution. If it is rubbery, that suggests formalin preservation; if the flesh is soft, it suggests that decay has started to set in. Formalin was found in 10.50% of marine water fish. Methods of Collection: There are numerous methods to glassstoppered bottles or screw capped jars with the collect fish specimens round the year. However, most of the formalin used to preserve seafood is diluted to the extent that the smell is not easily detectable. Following preservation, phytoplankton samples do not need to be refrigerated although they should be kept away from heat sources. If your fish comes from small-scale fishermen, you are likely to have fish with clear eyes, since they often do not have the capacity to go out fishing for more than two days. For example, 10% neutral-buffered formalin (NBF, or simply formalin) is really a 4% (v/v) formaldehyde solution. Note that formalin is slightly acidic, and long term storage of fish in unbuffered formalin … Among the SIS, katchki (15% of katchki contaminated with formalin) and mola was found formalin contaminated. Fish is a highly perishable food item; hence quality of fish quickly deteriorated and the process is accelerated with increasing temperature owing to a number of factors such as microbial activity, oxidative reaction and self enzymatic activity. Kausar IA (2007). Besides, it is widely used as a disinfectant in many human medicines and cosmetics and as an antiseptic in veterinary drugs and biological and in fungicides, textiles and embalming fluids (Feick et al., 2006). A saturated solution contains about 40% by volume — or 37% by weight — of the gas, plus a small amount of a stabilizer, usually 10-12% methanol; this prevents polymerization. Marsh GM, Youk AO, Buchanich JM, S Erdal and Esmen NA (2007). The advantages of formalin over other preservatives are: it is inexpensive, it is generally available, a small bulk af concentrated stock solution may be diluted as needed, and … On 10 June 2011, the US National Toxicology Program has described formaldehyde as “known to be a human carcinogen”. Fish stomachs should be either removed from fish and preserved in a solution of 10% formalin following collection, or fish should be frozen whole and refrigerated at all times during shipment. 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Saranica, Matsya Pakhya Sankalan, Ministry of Fisheries  and Livestock. There is anecdotal evidence (but never scientifically proven) that some fish exposed to formalin don’t live past 18-24 months. Chakraborty et al. Formaldehyde occurs naturally in the environment. (artifact) to tissues during preservation. In Bangladesh, imported fish are coming from India and Myanmar. Severe pain, vomiting and possible death can occur after taking large amounts of formaldehyde. All formalin positive fishes were come from outside of the district and they reached in the morning and sold before evening. Formalin is a preservative applied on the body of fish to prevent its decay. Why is it used? If possible, a small piece of muscle tissue or a fin clip from either a pelvic or pectoral fin should be removed and placed in a small vial of 95% ethanol. Fishes After capture Fishes are placed in 10% formalin for quick killing(painful).It is not needed to relax fish Fishes dies with its finnature well spread-out, and the body straight and well-stretched. Examination and counting of fin rays and scales quite easy on such well-preserved material. Soc. Kausar IA (2007). Formalin is a solution in water of the gas formaldehyde (CH 2 O). Agents or wholesaler are not using adequate quantity of ice for short term preservation during transportation of large quantities of fish to more distant places, which leads to shortened shelf life of fish. The present study was conducted to investigate the intensity of formalin misuse in consumable fish species for preservation in five markets in Jessore district of Bangladesh. If this ti… Fish and formalin- The lethal duo. Formalin is made with formaldehyde but the percentage denotes a different formaldehyde concentration than true formaldehyde solutions. Formalin contamination was more in small indigenous species (SIS) than large fish. Yeasmin et al., (2010) showed that formalin was not detected in any fish produced locally. Experts say that this chemical per se cannot be used for the preservation of fish which is meant for consumption. Therefore, the fish traders used formalin in Barmij rui for increasing shelf life of the fish to supply and meet up the demand of consumers. Therefore, choosing alternatives to popular varieties will reduce your chances of encountering formalin-laced fish. Therefore, to maintain quality fish needs proper care from the time it is caught until it is served or processed. The list of fish samples were tested for formalin detection is shown in Table.1.