Iligan city has no equipment to detect formalin-laced fishes

By Nora Soriño
Iligan City Bureau Chief .

ILIGAN City — The city health office has no equipment to determining whether fishes displayed for sale in the markets here are laced with formalin or other chemicals.

Delia Reuyan of the City Health Office disclosed this yesterday in response to reports that some fishes being sold in the markets not only in this city but in other places in the country, as well, have been doused with formalin or other chemicals.

But, she added, they are doing some monitoring.

“One can still tell by the look of the fishes being sold and specially when eaten as they do not taste good. The flesh too are too tender that they easily tear apart,” Reuyan said.

It was learned that some are not only laced with formalin, some “aniel” are also rubbed on the fishes to make them appear blueish and fresh-looking. Aniel is the blue powder used by some people when washing white clothes to give a  clean whitish-blueish look.

From time to time they are doing some monitoring and these kind of fish being sold in some markets by unscrupulous sellers and besides being foul-tasting,  are not good for the health.

Thus, she urged buyers to be vigilant even as she said those who will get caught selling chemically-laced fishes will be dealt with accordingly.

Reuyan also encouraged people to report when they see fishes laced with chemicals sold in the market.

To note, report of such situation were heard in the wake of feedbacks that there is scarcity and increase in the prices of fish in the markets and that the government is importing fish supply from abroad. It was learned that the price of galunggong (round scad) has increased too.