John Wilbert
Port Blair, Mar 16: Several incidents of fish poisoning have been reported from various places like Havelock Island and Tirur village in South Andaman District, since last fortnight.
Nearly 50 staffs of three Resorts of Havelock Island fell ill on 28/02/2018 after consumption of a particular fish namely Twin Spotted Snapper locally known as Kutha Bhetki.
Similarly on 13/03/2018, eight peoples belonging to two families of Tirur village fell ill after consuming the same fish.
After media reports, the Food Safety Department has viewed the incidences very seriously and have initiated action against perpetrators.
“Show cause notices have been already issued to concerned fish vendors & Resorts and strict action as per law is being initiated against them,” sources in Andaman’s Food Safety Department said here today.
As a precautionary measure the general public are advised not to consume Kutha Bhetki (Twin Spotted Snapper) fish during this season. The Restaurant operators and other food vendors are also advised not to prepare and serve dishes made from the above named fish to the customers as well as to their employees.
“The fishing community is also requested not to offer for sale the above named fish,” the source added.
Although the Andaman Administration is mentioning that the incidents occurred due to consumption of Twin Spotted Snapper fishes but most of the victims suspect that they fell victim of dangerous chemicals like formalin which are allegedly mixed in fish by some fishermen for preservation of fish.
However, Andaman’s fisheries Department and Food Safety Unit are maintaining that they are conducting regular raids in fish market but they have found no trace of formalin chemical ever.
The web link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutjanus_bohar says Large adults of twin spotted snapper may cause ciguatera poisoning if so necessary tests may be carried out to confirm and ban it from food list.
I left consumig chanda ,Kokari ,putti fish since last two years when i suspect about the use of some chemical might be formalin,i can’t say…as we started cooking this fish, something odd/untolerant smell felt and when i tasted the fish i felt vomitting really i cannt explain…i informed this to my friend few months ago but he said in Andaman we don;t have any labrotary etc for detecting this type of adaltration etc..it is also suspected ice block using for preserving the fish is already contains the some chemical which is preventing the fishes from rottaning.