Operation Matsya: Kerala Food Safety Dept seizes 1707 kg stale fish

Thiruvananthapuram: The Food Safety Department has seized 1706.88 kg of rotten and chemical-laced fish under the Operation Matsya drive across the state, informed health minister Veena George.

Operation Matsya drive was launched in the state as part of the campaign called ‘Nalla Bhakshnam Nadinte Avakasam (Good food is the right of the people).

The food safety department has carried out 1,070 inspections at major check posts, harbours and fish selling centres across the state till date. A total of 809 samples collected from these centres were sent for lab examination. 

With this, the food safety department officials destroyed 3631.88 kg of stale and adulterated fish in the state.Using a rapid detection kit, the officials carried out 579 tests at Aluva, Thodupuzha, Nedumkandam and Malappuram. As the presence of chemicals was detected in 9 samples, the officials destroyed the fish and took action against the people involved in the sale.

The health minister informed that notices were served to 53 people as part of the drive.

The health department will intensify the inspections at check posts under Operation Matsya.Special squads including food safety officials led by assistant commissioners are conducting inspections across the state day and night.

Fish auction centres, harbours, wholesale markets and retail stores also come under the surveillance of the squad.

The continuous inspections aim to check the supply of chemical-laced fish to the state. Central Institute of Fisheries Technology has developed rapid test kits to detect the presence of ammonia and formalin in fish.

Apart from this test, the samples are taken to the food safety department’s lab for detailed examination. Strict action is being taken against the people who are selling adulterated fish in the state, informed the minister.