Mangaluru: The Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration has inspected ice manufacturing units in Dakshina Kannada that supply ice for preserving fresh fish, following directions from Health Minister U T Khader.
A team led by Dakshina Kannada District Food Safety Designated Officer Dr Praveen Kumar C H carried out the inspection at ice manufacturing units in Mangaluru Harbour.
During the inspection, officials collected samples of ice from the units to assess their quality and suitability for preserving fresh fish.
Water samples sent for laboratory testing
The inspection revealed that the manufacturing units procured potable water through tankers and used it to produce ice.
Officials instructed the unit operators to obtain laboratory reports confirming the quality of the water used in ice production before commencing manufacturing activities.
Samples of the water used in the ice-making process were also collected and sent to a laboratory for testing.
The department said verifying the quality of water used in ice production was important because the ice came into direct contact with fish during storage and transportation. Maintaining appropriate hygiene standards would help preserve the freshness and quality of the fish supplied to markets.
Cooperative society’s unit uses modern machinery
During the inspection, the ice manufacturing unit operated by the Mangaluru Trawl Boat Fishermen’s Primary Cooperative Society was found to be using modern machinery to produce clean ice.
The inspection team examined the manufacturing arrangements and emphasised the need for all units supplying ice to the fishing sector to maintain proper standards.
Ice is widely used by fishermen and fish traders to preserve fresh catches after they are brought ashore. Its quality and the water used in its production are therefore important considerations in maintaining hygienic conditions throughout the handling and distribution of fish.
Units warned against using chemicals to preserve fish
The Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration, Dakshina Kannada, directed all ice manufacturing units to strictly follow the prescribed precautionary measures.
Officials stressed that only ice produced using good-quality water should be supplied for preserving fresh fish.
The department also issued a strict warning against the use of formalin or any other chemicals for fish preservation.
Formalin and other unauthorised chemical treatments can pose food safety concerns. The department’s warning was aimed at ensuring that fish reaching consumers remained safe and retained its quality without the use of prohibited substances.
The inspection forms part of efforts to strengthen food safety standards in the fish supply chain in Dakshina Kannada. Officials have called on ice manufacturers to comply with quality requirements and ensure that the ice supplied to fishing and fish-trading units is produced under hygienic conditions.