Food hazard || Formalin contamination in fruits, vegetables and fish

Hello friends,

Hope you are well and preparing for a nice weekend.
However, my today topic of discussion is about Formalin contamination of foods. This is a major health concern for many countries.

What is Formalin?

Formalin is a 37% aqueous (water) solution of formaldehyde. The chemical name of Formalin is H-CHO. This is a volatile chemical. At around 40°C temperature this chemical evaporates. Formalin or formaldehyde is highly carcinogenic to human. People use this chemical as preservatives of dyes and different textiles chemicals. It is also used in production of plastics and coatings. Apart from textiles, there are various use and misuses of this chemical.

Why we have concern about this chemical?

The use of Formaldehyde/Formalin is banned in textiles industries as per European Union (EU) under REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and restriction of Chemical substances) legislation. For kids >16 PPM (parts per million) and for adults >75 PPM are not allowed in skin contact garments or textiles.

In many countries, the use of formalin in foods is a matter of concern. Formalin is not allowed to use in textile for certain limits whereas it is being used in food as a preservatives.

Why formalin is used in food items?

As mentioned above this chemical is mainly used as preservatives. Nevertheless, the businesspersons are using this weapon as unfair means. They are using formalin in different fishes, fruits and vegetables to keep those fresh as if they could keep in store for long time. This is very unethical.

What we are facing in our practical life?

Every day we are facing formalin related issue. Here, I am giving one practical example. I bought 2KG apple 10 days back. My wife gave me one apple to eat at office. I put that in my table drawer. Yesterday, I found this apple as fresh as the original one after cutting into small pieces. Here is the picture.

The food sector is fully contaminated with this hazardous chemical. From fish market to vegetables market, it is everywhere. Here are some pictures of vegetable.

Fruits are the most risky category under formalin contamination. We cook vegetables above 40°C temperature. There is a possibility of evaporation of formalin at this temperature. Nevertheless, for fruits it is worst case. As we are not boiling our fruits, there is high possibility of formalin contamination in it.

Here is a picture of oranges. All the oranges are looking fresh. However, it could be full of contamination.

The fish sellers sell the same fishes for two to three day. They mix formalin in water and spray that water in fish. It prevents fish from being rotten.

Effects of Formalin:

Formalin is carcinogenic by nature. It has various side effects to human health.

—The inhalation of formalin causes bronchitis.

—Swallowing of formalin can destroy you liver.

—Drinking formalin contaminated water can cause death.

—Formalin is responsible for skin cancer, if comes prolonged contact with skin.

Source

What should we do?

We should wash fruits, vegetables and fish thoroughly with running water. It is recommended to wash with warm water. As formalin is volatile above 40°C, we need to cook food above that temperature. It will help to remove free formalin from the food items.

Last but not the least, we all should maintain ethical practice. We should not contaminate our foods with formalin which can cause death eventually.

Here all the pictures were captured using my iPhone 11 pro max mobile except the source mentioned one. Thanks for stopping by.