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Detection of Formalin in Fish and Milk and Perception of the Household-heads on Formalin Contamination in Bangladesh

Gazi Md. Shahinul Islam
Department of Public Health Nutrition, Primeasia University, Banani, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh Abstract

Farzana Sultana Bari
Department of Public Health Nutrition, Primeasia University, Banani, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh Abstract

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Bangladeshi people are consuming fish and milk almost every day. Bangladesh imports selected type of carp fish from neighboring countries. Mixing of formalin in fish and milk as preservative is known to many people. The study aimed to determine the presence of formalin in fish and milk at the household level throughout the country. Multistage sampling was done to select 210 households of 7 divisions of Bangladesh. Qualitative information was collected from fish retailers and consumers about the use of formalin in fish and milk. Detection of formalin was carried out on fish samples from 6 wet markets in Dhaka city and 210 selected households. Pasteurized liquid milk from Dhaka city markets and cow milk from selected 210 households were tested using formalin detection kit developed by BCSIR. The Focus Group Discussion (FGD) respondents stated that they do not add chemicals or formalin in fish. But 70% of the respondents ensured that imported fishes and small fishes namely Kaachki fish collected from Mymensingh and Chittagong are contaminated with formalin. Majority of them said that dishonest businessmen usually add formalin during off-loading of fish from the vehicle or at wholesale level or at cold storage. Formalin was found in 46 out of 70 fish samples in Dhaka city. But 384 fish samples and 210 cow milk samples from 210 households and 12 milk samples of 3 popular brands in Dhaka city were found free from formalin. Local fishes were formalin free because the fisherman catches fish locally and sale those in local market within 3 to 4 hours even without using ice for preservation. Most of the household heads were educated and from middle income group who had good perception about formalin contamination. The study also indicated that 92% of household heads agreed to spend 5 to 10% extra cost for formalin free food. It reveals that formalin use is not a severe problem so far in rural markets but exists as a threat in the city markets.

Keywords: Fish, Milk, Formalin contamination

Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-07-2014

End Date: 00-06-2015

Program Area: Food Safety and Security

Commodity: Nutrition, Fish, Milk

Objectives:

To assess presence of formalin in fishes and milk in different markets of Dhaka city and in the households of 14 Upazillas of the 7 divisions in Bangladesh and the perception of household heads on formalin contamination in the country.

Methodology:

This is a cross sectional study conducted during the period from July 2014 to June 2015. The data were collected using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Focus group discussion (FGD): Two FGDs were conducted, one at Mohammadpur Bazaar and the other at Kawran bazaar in Dhaka city. Each group was comprised of ten fish retailers; at least one participant was opponent to mixing formalin to fishes to get in-depth information. The discussions were facilitated by the researchers using interview guide and continued around one and a half hour during noon as it was their convenient time to take part in discussion. The discussion was basically focused on formalin adulteration of fish specifying the occurrence of adulteration at several supply chains. A voice recorder was used to collect data and it was then transcribed. A total of 70 fish samples of 13 fish varieties were collected randomly from six markets of Dhaka city. Besides, 12 milk samples were collected from the local markets of Dhaka city to detect presence of formalin in those milk samples. Multistage sampling was done to select initially the seven districts (Rangpur, Sirajgonj, Bagerhat, Bhola, Feni, Kishoregonj, and Habiganj), one from each of the seven divisions of Bangladesh. Two Upazillas from each district were then selected by simple random sampling. The selected 14 Upazillas were Rangpur Sadar, Mithapukur, Sirajgonj Sadar, Belkuchi, Bagerhat Sadar, Kochua, Bhola Sadar, Lalmohon, Feni Sadar, Sonagazi, Kishoregonj Sadar, Bhairab, Habiganj Sadar, and Ajmiriganj. Then one Union from each Upazila was selected randomly and finally one village from each Union was selected randomly which fulfills the following 2 criteria: (1) Must have a local market in the village where fish and milk is sold (2) At least the village market sits for 2 days in a week so that data can be collected on market days. After selecting the study village, 15 households from each selected village were selected randomly for detecting formalin in fish and milk before cooking that they procured or collected either from market or from own farm. A total of 384 fish samples from 38 fish varieties and 210 milk samples were collected to detect presence of formalin. Socio-economic data of 210 households of 14 Upazillas of 7 divisions were collected. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data emphasizing their socio-economic information including gender, religion, age, marital status, education level, monthly family income, family size, and perceptions on formalin adulteration. The initial draft questionnaire was field tested, revised and finalized the questionnaire incorporating the suggestion received from the field. Data collected from the household heads were compiled, tabulated and analyzed in accordance with the objectives of the study. Data from the survey were statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Scientist (SPSS, version 21) and Microsoft excel.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Journal of Nutrition, Vol. 28-31, December 2018

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Formalin as a preservative is used in milk and fish to keep them fresh for longer period. Formalin is being used in imported fishes and at wholesale level. Retailers are not found guilty in adding formalin in their products. Qualitative detection of formalin in six wet markets of Dhaka city revealed that more than fifty percent of the fish samples were formalin contaminated. The fishes and milk purchased from local markets were usually free from formalin. This study observed that formalin contamination is not considered as a serious problem in rural markets but surely a big concern in the city markets. The Government efforts to reducing formalin contamination is though appreciated as more organized initiatives and efforts to be undertaken to eliminate adulteration for safeguarding public health.

Knowledge Management: Journal