North Jakarta Livestock, Fishery, and Marine Sub-Department recently found fish containing formalin in traditional markets. From a number of fish taken as samples, at least five percent of it contained formalin.

There are still traders selling fish containing formalin. First, we give them warning letter. If the traders still sold foods containing formalin, we’ll bring them to the law realm

“ There are still traders selling fish containing formalin. First, we give them warning letter. If the traders still sold foods containing formalin, we’ll bring them to the law realm ,” stated Head of North Jakarta Livestock, Fishery, and Marine Sub-Department, Sri Haryati, Friday (6/6).

To press formalin fish circulation, North Jakarta Livestock, Fishery, and Marine Sub-Department holds monitoring routinely in traditional markets. As for the formalin test, it is conducted in two ways, namely on the spot and test the samples in the Fishery and Marine Processing Quality Testing Office.

Unfortunately, Haryati refused to disclose the names of traditional markets in which her ranks found formalin fish. But, she still urges the residents to be more careful in buying fish.

“We’ve installed various informations on how to choose a good fish,” she added.

According to Haryati, fish containing formalin is difficult to detect with naked eyes. However, there are simple ways to know it. Free-formalin fish usually does not swarm with flies, more rigid textures, fresh reddish eye and gill, pungent fishy smell, hard meat, and tight sinews.

Responding on this matter, North Jakarta Mayor, Heru Budi Hartono, instructed North Jakarta Livestock, Fishery, and Marine Sub-Department to intensively inform people on how to know whether a fish contained formalin or not.

“North Jakarta Livestock, Fishery, and Marine Sub-Department must be proactive in informing the residents, so they can know which fish worthy for consumption or not,” he asserted.