Tripura restricts fish imports from Bangladesh due to formalin

India's northeastern state of Tripura state has restricted import of fish from Bangladesh after detecting formalin in them.

“We have collected 11 samples, including six at the Agartala-Akhaura integrated check post from consignment imported from Bangladesh. During tests in the state food laboratory, formalin was detected in all six samples of Bangladeshi fish. So we have decided to restrict import,” said Tripura Health Minister Badal Choudhury.

Formalin is a preservative and generally used to preserve dead bodies and it is dangerous for human consumption.

It easily enters human body as most of the people in our state eat fish daily and acts as slow poison.

"It is more dangerous for children. We have found formalin in mainly Hilsha, Rohu, Catla and Tengra fish,” said Minister Choudhury about the fish imports from Bangladesh.

The state government has asked the health officials and SDM to take strict legal action against those using formalin and other illegal preservatives.

Customs and border guards have been put on extra alert to prevent the import of fish from Bangladesh through the seven LCSs and only allow it through the Agartala-Akhaura Integrated Check Post (ICP).

Debasish Nandi, Manager of Agartala ICP said Customs have cautioned exporters and importers on both sides about the findings.

"We have again sent few samples to the state food laboratory and if the result comes positive then we may have to suspend import of fish from Bangladesh.”