Chemically-treated dried fish raises health risk concern
Rampant use of toxic chemicals to process dried fish has become a cause for great health concern for the people of Chittagong. Physicians and nutritionists have warned that consuming the chemically treated dried fish will pose a serious threat to public health. A mobile court conducted a drive at Asadganj dried fish market in Chittagong on September 6, where they found 1,500kg of chemically-treated dried fish and sentenced four dried fish traders to eight months in prison with a fine of Tk340, 000 in total. Executive Magistrate Md Arafat Hossain, who led the mobile court, told the Dhaka Tribune: “Traders usually want the dried fish to retain some moisture so that they weigh more, but moisture creates the perfect environment for bacteria breeding. So traders use DDT on the fish to stop bacteria infestation. But DDT use is harmful and can cause cancer.” Asadganj is one of the largest dried fish trading hubs in the country from where dried fish is supplied all over the country. Last year on August 8, another mobile court conducted a drive at Chaktai dried fish market in Chittagong and seized 1,000kg of dried hilsha fish which were sprayed with inedible colour to make them look fresh. Dr Azizur Rahman Siddiqui, civil surgeon in Chittagong district, warned that consuming the chemically treated dried fish may lead to liver and kidney diseases as well as mouth ulcer. “If expectant mothers consume the chemically treated dried fish, their unborn babies may be at the risk of deformities,” he said. “Furthermore, those who work at the dried fish factory are highly likely to suffer from skin-related diseases.”
Posted by admin
on Sep 18 2016. Filed under Bangladesh Exclusive.
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