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Present Status of Marketing of Formalin Treated Fishes in Domestic Markets at Mymensingh District in Bangladesh

T Yeasmin
Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M S Reza
Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M N A Khan
Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

F H Shikha
Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M Kamal
Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Information was collected from fish retailers and consumers on the marketing of formalin treated fishes through survey using prescribed questionnaire in local markets of Bangladesh Agricultural University (KR), Kewatkhali Market (KM), Mecchua Bazar Market (MB), Natun Bazar (NB) and Sankipara Market (SP) located at Mymensingh town in Mymensingh district. The major species selling in the market were rohu (Labeo rohita), catla (Catla catla), hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha), sarputi (Puntius sarana), rajputi (Barbodes gonionotus) tilapia (Tilapia mossumbica), pangas (Pangasius hypophthalmus) and small indigenous species (SIS). It was found that many commercially important fishes such as catla and rohu were imported from neighboring countries and sold in the retail markets. There were complaints from the consumers that the fish traders use formalin in imported fish to enhance their shelf life which were denied by the wholesalers and retailers. Fish were, therefore, collected from different markets and formalin detection kit was used to detect formalin contamination in fish. Study showed that formalin was not detected in any fish produced locally, but was detected in the imported ones of catla and rohu ranging from 0.5% to 1% which was sold in different markets of Mymensingh with comparatively lower price than those produced locally. The shelf life of the locally produced fish was much longer than those of imported fish which may be related to the loss of shelf life during its transport from importing countries. The survey also indicated that the overall hygienic condition of the retailers and sanitary conditions of surveyed markets were poor except KR and SP fish markets, where both sanitary and hygiene conditions were found to be in acceptable condition.

Keywords: Formalin contamination, Formalin detection kit, Marketing, Shelf life

Location: Mymensingh district.

Start Date: 00-00-2009

End Date: 00-00-2009

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Aquatic animal

Objectives:

To report the present status of formalin treated commercially important fish available in different markets of Mymensingh Sadar in Mymensingh district.

Methodology:

Detection of formalin in fish available in the domestic market: Fish markets of Mymensingh Sadar which included Bangladesh Agricultural University (KR), Kewatkhali Market (KM), Mecchua Bazar Market (MB), Natun Bazar (NB) and Sankipara Market (SP) located at Mymensingh city in Mymensingh district were visited and fish samples were collected randomly to detect formalin contamination using formalin detection kit in food developed by Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) was used in this experiment. This kit allows detection of formalin in terms of percentage used in food/fish. Fish samples of rohu (Labeo rohita), catla (Catla catla), mrigal (Cirrhina mrigala), hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) and sarputi (Puntius sarana) were collected from the KR, KM, MB, NB, and SP fish market. On the basis of organoleptic characteristics such as colour, odour of neck when broken, odour of gills, colour of gills, general appearance, eye, slime and consistency of flesh were recognized between locally produced and imported ones of rohu and catla. The fishes were immediately transported in the laboratory of Fisheries Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh without using ice and subsequently tested for formalin detection. At first, the samples were washed with small quantity of water and a portion of washed out water was taken in a test-tube using a dropper included in the kit. The kit contained three solutions (No. 1-3). Then 15 drops from solution No.1 was added in the test tube containing washed out water. After well stirring, the solution was allowed to wait for 30 second. Then 15 drops from solution No.3 was added in the same test tube. After adding No.3 solution, if the colour of the solution changed into pink or red colour, it indicated the presence of formalin (qualitative only). Unchanged colour of the solution indicated no formalin in the sample. Survey on marketing of formalin treated commercially important freshwater fishes available in Mymensingh sadar: Information on marketing and use of chemicals in fish for increasing shelf life was collected using prescribed questionnaire through direct interview with the retailers and consumers. The major aspects of information collected during the survey included: kind of fish selling in the markets, source and use of ice, use of chemicals, preventive measure for quality loss, transportation, imported fish price and quality of the fishes.

Source of Information: Int. J. BioRes. 1 (4): 21-24 April, 2010

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Present study reports contamination of imported fishes such as rohu and catla in different markets of Mymensingh district with 0.5 to 1% of formalin where the organoleptic qualities were poor compared to those locally produced fishes in Bangladesh. Although it is necessary to conduct such type of study in whole value chain in different markets, this study gives an idea of the extent of formalin contamination of fish in Bangladesh. The government and other agencies need to take necessary steps to prevent such type of malevolent activates by the fish traders to safe guard public health.

Knowledge Management: Journal