Thiruvananthapuram: After the lockdown was imposed, rotten fish have been coming in to Kerala which are quite several months old. In this season, the Health Department so far seized 50,836 kg of stale fish. The ongoing search operation is a part of Operation Sagar Rani.
The inspection was conducted at 211 centers across the state on Thursday. Eighty thousand kg of rotten fish was found and destroyed yesterday alone. About 26 tonnes of stale fish was seized which was brought from Tamil Nadu to Thiruvananthapuram. 4700 kg in Kollam and 2555 kg in Kottayam were confiscated. Also 20 people linked to this have been issued a notice.
Fishes brought that are unsuitable to be consumed, storing and selling is a criminal offense under Section 50,58, and 59 of the Food Safety Quality Act, 2006 and it can gift a fine of Rs 5 lakh and according to Section 59, 6 months imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh could be slapped. Food safety license is mandatory for vehicles transporting fish. The boxes used should be sterilized.
The ice used to keep the fish intact, must be of fresh water. Usage of chemicals to preserve fish is a serious crime.
Assistant Food Safety Commissioners have been appointed in the respective districts to take stringent action against those violating the norms.
