Shillong, June 27: The state government will reinstate the ban on sale of imported fish, if they are found tested positive for formalin again.

Informing this on Tuesday, Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said, “If tomorrow another test is conducted and it is found that formalin level in the fish is very high then again the ban will be reinstated.”

Her statement came after the government lifted the ban with effect from June 24.

She said henceforth, random testing will be conducted on imported fish.

Lyngdoh also defended when asked whether there was a communication gap between the chief minister Conrad K Sangma and the department of food safety.

The chief minister had on Monday said that the government will study the situation before deciding to lift the ban on imported fish despite the ban already lifted on June 24.

“The CM was simply responding to a query of the media as to what is the take of the government on this matter. And the statement made by the chief minister clearly stated that the ban will continue if formalin is again found whether high or low or unacceptable levels; formalin is formalin it is not to be used. So the CM was saying that if tomorrow it is found that again it repeats in the testing taken by the health safety commission it will be immediately taken out of the market,” Lyngdoh said.

When asked, the health minister said that she had an interaction with the fish vendors and wholesalers and they have informed of having certification from the government of Karnataka.

“Now where is this tampering (of the fishes) happening you need to figure out as you are the vendors. If I am bringing something to the market and I am selling it to you, I have to ensure that it has full safety measures,” she stressed while adding that provision against violation of food safety will be applied.

Further, the minister informed that the food safety inspectors have also been asked to find out how many days it takes for imported fish to reach the state.

In order to be safe, she urged the public to consume local fish. Lyngdoh said, “So public should cautiously have or consume such items of food which has travelled such distance. Go local. I am not again advertising for local but go for something which is safe for you.”

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