The widespread use of formalin, in preservation of fish, fruit and other
food items is posing a threat to public health. The chemical used as a
solution in water keeps fish fresh and makes fruits like mangoes,apples
attractive.
“This is a national public health issue. After my friend’s wife lost a
baby through miscarriage and investigations showed the presence of
formalin in her blood. When consumed, formalin goes to the liver and
destroys it.”
I do not know how many of you received this message from a purportedly good Samaritan that meat sellers now use formalin to repel flies from meat. The message advised consumers to patronise butchers with flies around their meat as that is a clear sign of formalin-free meat.According to the message on the social media, “People are using formalin, the chemical used to preserve dead bodies in preserving meat as it keeps flies away. When I asked a pharmacist, Capt. Kenneth, member of UPDF, he said it is possible.”
Continuing, “This is a national public health issue. After my friend’s wife lost a baby through miscarriage and investigations showed the presence of formalin in her blood. When consumed, formalin goes to the liver and destroys it.”
Formalin-contaminated meat will not have the usual meat smell. Shop with your eyes wide open.
Appealing to consumers, the author in the message stated, “Please,
people of God, this is serious.
When you go to buy meat, go to a butcher
that has flies around. Use this as the only way to confirm that there
is no formalin present. If the meat is without flies, what is keeping
them away is formalin.
Be informed. Share this information please and
save a life.”
Formalin is an aqueous solution of the chemical compound
Formaldehyde. Basically, between 35% and 40% solution of formaldehyde in
water make formalin. It is used in the preservation of biological
specimen and embalming in order to delay their decomposition.It is also used for drying skin before or after surgical removal of warts or where dryness is required. Also, it is used for treating excessive foot moisture.
Formalin is said to be most effective for the treatment of Iche diseased fish and controlling parasites especially in fish ponds, etcetera. A mixture of formalin, methanol, ethanol and other solvents makes the embalming fluid which is used to preserve bodies till funeral.
Formalin is a colourless strong-smelling chemical substance usually used in industry of textiles, plastics, papers, paint, construction, and well known to preserve human corpse. It is derived from formaldehyde gas dissolved in water.
Exposure from its gas or vapor can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and respiratory tract, causing sneezing, sore throat, larynx constriction, bronchitis and pneumonia. Multiple exposures can lead to asthma. It can also affect the skin, causing dermatitis or allergic reaction.
Serious inhalation or ingestion can cause severe pain with inflammation ulceration and necrosis of the mucous membranes, which line almost every internal organ. This may show as symptoms of nausea, vomiting blood, diarrhea with bloody stool, blood from the urine, acidosis, vertigo, and circulation failure, then death. 30mL is suggested the lethal dose of formalin. The limit allowed in air that is still safe for human is less than 2 ppm.
Formalin that was recently found in food, might not give such obvious reactions. However, this substance is known to be a carcinogenic substance, can precipitate cancer. A study showed mice exposed to formalin with concentration of 6 to 15 ppm for 2 years developed squamous-cell carcinoma in the nostril. Some other studies also show formalin will cause kidney, liver, and lung problems.
Formalin inside?
- Fish. The fish will be stiff, have rubbery meat, hard scales, red gills, clear eyes, doesn’t have the “fishy smell” and no flies flying around.
- Squid. Very rubbery consistency. Unable to break the meat by hand, which you usually could, only can be cut by a knife.
- Other sea products, including dried salty fish. Formalin will make the fish become stiff, whitish and odorless. Even when cooked, i.e. fried, it will still be stiff.
How to avoid food with formalin?
- Fish, especially sea fish. Press the fish, if it feels tender, it should be free of formalin. Choose fish which still has its fishy smell. It’s best to buy live fish.
- Avoid dried salty fish
"Formalin that was recently found in food, not only cause such health hazards, it can precipitate cancer."
FRUITS
Fruits are known to be foods of heaven. Fruits are being considered as nature’s best gift for human beings. Everyone knows that fruits are delicious, that is why, all generations of people are fond of them very much. But these heavenly foods aren’t that heavenly in our country. A section of unscrupulous traders were mixing formalin with foodstuff, including fruits. For the last few years, the contamination of foods with formalin is a burning issue, gradually people are coming to know how formalin is injurious to our health. Now people fear to eat fruits, even though fruits are proven to be very nutritious scientifically for centuries. Many essential nutrients are only present in fruits; therefore, contamination of formalin with fruits has deprived children from these essential nutrients. Conscious parents, who are concerned about this contamination, are not willing to give fruits to their children.
Formalin is a chemical used for preserving dead bodies in hospital mortuaries and dissection room in medical colleges, fixation of biopsy sample in medical examinations, and for disinfection of hospital rooms, operation theatres and few surgical instruments. But this formalin is now used unethically for preserving fruits. Formalin delays decomposition of fruits, so most of the venders use formalin. It is heard that fruits especially mangoes and litchis are sprayed with formalin when they are on trees! The widespread use of formalin, in preservation of fruit is posing a threat to public health. The chemical used as a solution in water keeps fruit apparently fresh and makes fruits like mangoes attractive. In our country presence of formalin has already been detected in fruits like apples, bananas, grapes, mangoes and even maltas.
How do you recognize a formalin free fruit?
A fresh fruit is always firm or soft on touch. Its skin shows natural look which changes day by day. A fruit dipped in formalin solution feels hard on touch. Colour of the fruits skin becomes dull and will not change over time. Usually the smell of fruits attract many insects. So, fresh fruits are surrounded by many fruit loving insects. But fruits with formalin are free from flies, bees, ants or any other fruit loving insects. So, before you buy fruits watch for these scenarios.
Formalin is also used for preserving milk, fish, fruit and other foodstuffs, including vegetables.
Formalin is dangerous for all ages; children and older people are affected easily and badly. It is said, once formalin is added, it cannot be removed. So washing of fruits is not effective to make it safe. Few of our superstores claim they are selling formalin free fruits but these small effort are not in the reach of general people. Most people are exposed to the risk of formalin intoxication. Intoxication of food stuffs like fruits by formalin silently ruin our future generation. Only awareness is not sufficient. Who has the responsibility to save us?
fresh fruits are surrounded by many fruit loving insects. But fruits
with formalin are free from flies, bees, ants or any other fruit loving
insects. So, before you buy fruits watch for these scenarios.
Formalin is such a harmful chemical that the handlers of them are not safe. Formalin has a bad effect on eyes and nose. Eyes are most sensitive to formaldehyde (formalin) exposure. The eyes, nose, and throat are irritated by formaldehyde vapors at levels as low as about 0.3 part formaldehyde per million parts of air (0.3 part per million, or 0.3 “ppm”). The lowest level at which many people can begin to smell formaldehyde is about 0.05ppm. Exposure from its gas or vapor can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and respiratory tract, resulting in watery eyes, sneezing, headache, and burning sensations in throat, cough, and difficulty in breathing. Multiple exposures (5-30 ppm and higher) can trigger or aggravate asthma symptoms. Serious inhalation or ingestion can cause severe pain with inflammation, ulceration and necrosis of the mucous membranes, which lines almost every internal organ of the body. Formaldehyde solutions can destroy your skin’s natural protective oils, causing dryness, flaking, cracking, and dermatitis (skin rash). Skin contact can also cause an allergic reaction (redness, itching, hives, and blisters). Sometimes formalin can affect the retina and cause blindness.
Fruits dipped in formalin are harmful to health. The ingestion of formaldehyde over a prolonged period can develop respiratory, digestive, cardiac, nephrological and neurological problems, along with cancer.
Formalin is highly toxic to all animals, regardless of method of intake. Ingestion of as little as 30 ml (1 oz.) of a solution containing 37% formaldehyde has been reported to cause death in an adult human. Water solution of formaldehyde, i.e. formalin, is very corrosive and its ingestion can immediately cause severe injury to the upper digestive system. This may show up as symptoms of nausea, vomiting blood, and diarrhoea with bloody stool, blood from the urine, breathlessness, vertigo, and circulation failure, then death. 30ml is the suggested lethal dose of formalin. When formaldehyde enters into the body it is converted to formic acid, increases the acidity of blood and causes severe shortness of breath. But its long term use has a delayed effect such as damaging of kidneys, liver, brain, bone marrow, body defense and on fetus in pregnant women.
Some other studies also show formalin will cause kidney failure, liver damage, and lung problems like- bronchitis (chronic cough), pneumonia (severe inflammation in lung), asthma and allergic reactions. Researchers said its effects on the brain can cause dementia and loss of memory.
Anaemia and blood cancer can be consequences of bone marrow depression when formalin travels in blood. It also weakens the body’s defense mechanism against infections, resulting in repeated attacks of diseases. Formalin’s effect on pregnancy and the reproductive system has been studied in both humans and in laboratory animals. Formaldehyde has been shown to decrease fertility and increase the risk of spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) in humans. In laboratory animals, formaldehyde can harm (birth defects and IQ) the developing fetus and damage sperm.
Formalin that was recently found in food, not only cause such health hazards, it can precipitate cancer. A study showed mice exposed to formalin with concentration of 6 to 15 ppm for 2 years developed squamous-cell carcinoma (a type of cancer in mucous membrane) in the nose, sinuses, stomach as well as some types of blood cancer (leukemia and lymphoma).
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