Formalin in Fish: Health Risks and Detection Tips

• Formalin, a toxic chemical, is being illegally used to preserve fish, making stale fish appear fresh.
• Consumption of formalin-laced fish can severely damage the liver, kidneys, heart, and brain, and is linked to cancer.
• Short-term exposure causes watery eyes, coughing, nausea, and skin irritation; long-term exposure increases cancer risk.
• Detect formalin by checking for a pungent odor, absence of flies, dark maroon gills, cloudy eyes, and shriveled fins/tail.
• To remove formalin, wash fish thoroughly with cold water, then soak in cold water for an hour, followed by soaking in saltwater.

Why It Matters: Beware of formalin in fish; learn to detect it and take steps to reduce its harmful effects.