No formalin found in tested fish samples: Odisha Health Minister

Bhubaneswar: Amid hesitancy among people over consumption of fish after reports of presence of cancer-causing formalin in them, Odisha Health Minister Pratap Jena today said no formalin has been found in fish samples tested so far.

“As many as 137 fish samples were collected by the Health Department from 20 districts. Out of these, 89 samples have been tested in the State Laboratory and traces of formalin was not found in any of them,” the minister said speaking to reporters.

Urging people not to panic, Jena said the remaining samples are being examined and necessary steps will be taken if formalin is found in any of those.

Fish samples of various types will be collected from other districts as well for examination, he added.