Recently news started pouring in from North Esat Indian states and Goa about the traces of Formaldehyde (Formalin - aqueous solution) in fish samples. Let us have a look on this issue in brief.
What is Formaldehyde?
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| Structure of Formaldehyde |
What are its uses?
It is used as a disinfectant as it kills bacteria and fungi. It is also used as a preservative in food items up to a permissible level to prolong the shelf life. It is also present in many food items in minute quantities. But excessive intake of this chemical orally may cost one dearly in future due to its unverified ill effects on health.
What are its effects on human health?
In 2004 International Agency for Research on Cancer (ICAR) labeled the chemical as a carcinogenic agent. The research of ICAR was based on the evidence from the people working at the factories that release formaldehyde fumes like embalming, printing and textile industries. Formaldehyde was entering these people's body through the air in gaseous form. But there is not much of the evidence pointing at it causing cancer when consumed orally. Lack of evidence cannot be taken as the absence of the potential problem.
How is it reaching the fish?
Some traders add formaldehyde to prolong the shelf life of the fish and make it look fresh for longer periods. Formaldehyde also forms naturally inside the fish body if it is improperly frozen while in transit to the markets.
Presence of formaldehyde in fish or any other food item is not a problem until it is under the permissible levels.