Following on the heels of Nagaland, Manipur Government on Saturday banned the selling of iced-packed fish imported from other states after they found traces of formalin in the fishes.
Also read: Fresh ban on fish import in two Nagaland districts
Nodal officer (Food Safety) Manipur, Ch Sanajaoba Meitei, issued a ban order to the effect until further notice.
Following the reports of seizure of huge quantity of fish products with traces of formalin in Nagaland, Kerala, and other states, the Manipur Fishery Department conducted an investigation to determine the possibility of the presence this substance in fish products available in the State.
Subsequently, fish samples were reportedly collected from different outlets across the State which were later found to have traces of formalin.
As a result, the government has instructed to impose a ban not only on the sale of iced packed fish products but also declared the same products unsafe for consumption as it is hazardous to health.
Meanwhile, the Tamenglong district authority has also prohibited sales and consumption of iced-packed fish products imported from other states.
Notably, nearly 7000 kgs of formalin-injected fish were seized in Nagaland and destroyed by municipal authorities, while most of the districts in Nagaland have also banned sale of fish.
As per the State Fishery Department, Manipur consumes around 52,000 metric tonnes of fish in a year.
Of the total quantity, the State produces around 32,000 metric tonnes while the remaining is imported from outside.