Jajpur Road: Health hazards are on the anvil for all fish lovers in Vyasanagar town in Jajpur district, sources said Tuesday. They informed us that health problems may arise due to the rampant sale of chemical-laced fish in local markets. This development comes at a time when fish brought from outside the state are rotting quickly because of the heatwave with temperatures rising above 40 degree Celsius. To keep the various varieties of fish fresh, the traders are using a chemical called ‘Formalin’, sources said.
Incidentally, ‘Formalin’ is a toxic substance and is carcinogenic in nature. The chemical is used to preserve dead bodies in mortuaries and also in science labs. Imagine the harm it will cause if ‘Formalin’ goes into the human body in large quantities. Traders here are injecting ‘Formalin’ into the body of the fish to increase its shelf life during transport and storage. The use of the chemical has become rampant as it is cheaper than ice.
Sources alleged that some unscrupulous fish traders in Dhabalagiri, Nahaka bypass road, Chorda Green Market, and New Market are selling these chemical-laced fish to buyers. Even though some fish traders have refrained from using the chemical, the majority of them are selling ‘Formalin-laced fish thereby increasing the chances of health hazards. This correspondent visited the fish market at Dhabalagiri and found six to seven traders selling such chemical-laced fish to buyers and in the process fleecing them. Moreover, the presence of the Dhabalagiri fish market near two temples has sparked resentment among the people and local traders. They have demanded that the fish market be relocated, but Jajpur Road Municipality authorities are yet to take any step in this regard.
Locals alleged that the civic body authorities except for collecting revenue from the traders have done nothing to alleviate the concerns of the buyers. They also pointed out that a price chart has also not been fixed by the local administration for the varieties of fish that are being sold. Residents have demanded before the district administration, Health department, and the local civic body to intervene and take necessary steps to safeguard the interest of the locals and fish lovers.