Mangaluru: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has urged the Karnataka government and Health Department to intensify inspections and take stricter measures to curb fish adulteration and ensure food safety across the coastal region.
Speaking at a press conference at the Mangaluru Press Club on Thursday, AAP Karnataka vice-president Vivekananda Salins welcomed the recent raids and inspections carried out by the Health Department against unhygienic eateries and alleged food adulteration in Dakshina Kannada.
Salins called for greater attention to the quality of fish being sold in local markets and stronger enforcement against traders found violating food safety norms.
AAP raises concerns over chemical use in fish
Salins claimed that recent reports have pointed to the use of chemicals such as formalin (formaldehyde) and ammonia to make fish appear fresh for longer periods.
He said prolonged consumption of fish treated with such chemicals could pose serious health risks. Referring to scientific experts, Salins claimed that exposure to these substances could damage the stomach and throat and increase the risk of cancer.
He alleged that the state government and Health Department had not given adequate attention to the issue and urged the authorities to initiate immediate measures to protect consumers.
While raising the concern, Salins called for regular testing of fish sold in markets and stronger monitoring of the supply chain to identify possible chemical contamination.
Rapid testing kit highlighted
Salins also referred to a rapid testing kit developed by the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology to detect chemical contamination in fish.
According to him, the kit contains 25 strip tests and can reportedly provide results within two to three minutes. He said such testing facilities could help food safety officials identify contaminated fish quickly during inspections.
Salins also cited specific chemical concentration levels, stating that fish containing more than 20–100 mg of formalin per kg could be considered unsafe for consumption, while ammonia concentrations above 100–300 mg per kg could pose serious health risks.
He urged the authorities to make better use of available testing technology and conduct frequent checks at fish markets, shops and other points in the supply chain.
Lack of cold storage flagged
According to Salins, inadequate cold-storage facilities in local fish markets are among the factors contributing to concerns over fish adulteration.
He said proper refrigeration and cold-chain infrastructure was essential for maintaining the quality and freshness of fish without resorting to potentially harmful preservation practices.
Salins also pointed to the condition of several fish markets in the region, alleging that some operate in unhygienic surroundings.
He called for the modernisation of such markets and improvements to sanitation, storage, waste management and other basic facilities.
The AAP leader said improving market infrastructure, along with strict enforcement, would be important to strengthen food safety standards in the coastal region.
Coconut oil adulteration also raised
Apart from fish adulteration, Salins raised concerns over the alleged adulteration of coconut oil.
He claimed that some traders were mixing paraffin oil and palm kernel oil with coconut oil for financial gain.
Salins described paraffin as a petroleum-derived substance and warned that its consumption could have serious long-term health consequences.
He urged food safety authorities to expand inspections beyond restaurants and fish markets and conduct checks on edible oils and other commonly consumed food products.
According to him, strict action against adulteration was necessary to deter traders from compromising consumer health for profit.
Call for strict inspections and legal action
Welcoming the recent food safety raids in Dakshina Kannada, Salins urged the Health Department to continue the enforcement drive and make inspections more systematic.
He called for strict action against individuals and businesses found involved in food adulteration, including legal proceedings wherever violations are established.
The AAP leader said consumer safety should remain the priority and that authorities must ensure that food products sold in the coastal region meet prescribed safety standards.
The party also called for improved infrastructure at fish markets and greater awareness among consumers about food safety.
AAP district organising secretary S L Pinto, women’s wing president Seema Madiwala, district secretary Vasudev, Habib Khader and Leslie Fernandes were present at the press conference.