A joint team from the Department of Health & Family Welfare (DoH&FW), Dimapur district administration, and Food Safety and Drug Control conducted a surprise inspection at the Sematilla fish auctionary early on Tuesday morning in response to concerns regarding fish from Andhra Pradesh that contained formalin and other chemicals. Every month, up to eight or nine trucks carrying different kinds of fish from Andhra Pradesh pass through the fish auctionary in Sematilla, one of the main distribution centers for fish in Nagaland. Around 20 different fish species, including sea crabs, were sampled for testing by the crew during the inspection.
Samuel Zehol, the appointed officer, told a segment of the media that nine people own the auctionary. On-site, food safety inspectors collected samples and performed initial testing; findings are still pending. According to Zehol, additional research will be carried out to determine the amounts of contamination if the chemical tests yield positive results. This process could take up to 14 days. Health Minister P Paiwang Konyak’s visit and the inspection drive took place at the same time. On Tuesday, he began his district tour. Similar inspections will be conducted in Mokokchung, Longleng, Tuensang, and Mon districts by the minister, his department representatives, and Food Safety and Drug Control.
