Shillong, July 23: Import of fish from outside has been banned by the Meghalaya government for 15 days, after test reports on fish samples showed positive the presence of formalin.

A notification banning the import of fish came into effect from Monday. The government warned that non-compliance to the notification will attract imprisonment up to seven years and a fine up to Rs 10 lakh as provided under section 59 (iv) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

While waiting for test reports on fish samples which were sent for test to a laboratory in Assam, the Meghalaya government had earlier decided not to ban the import of fish from other states including Andhra Pradesh

Instead, spot testing kits (formalin (formaldehyde) detection kits) are being used for carrying out spot tests in markets on samples collected from fish brought from outside the state.

According to sources, a spot test on fish samples at Nongpoh in Ri-Bhoi district on Monday also found that presence of formalin.

Commissioner of food safety, P.W. Ingty said in a notification that out of 19 samples tested and reports received, two samples have tested positive for formalin as per the analysis report of the food analyst to the government dated July 20, which is highly toxic and injurious to health.

The notification also stated that in pursuance of the regulation 3.1.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards & Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, indicates the preservatives permitted to be used in select articles of food, whereas formalin is not included in the said list of permitted preservation.

“Distribution, storage and sale of fresh fish treated with formalin or other unpermitted preservatives render the articles unsafe under section 3(1)(zz)(v) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006,” the notification stated.

In exercise of the powers conferred under clause (a) of sub-section (2) of Section 30 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the notification said that storage, distribution or sale of fresh fish or crustaceans brought from outside the state is prohibited for a period of 15 days in the interest of public health or till corrective measures are taken with effect from the date of issue of the notification.