THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Keralites consume eight lakh tonnes of fish a day. The maximum availability in the state is six lakh tonnes. About half of it will be shipped. Only three lakh tonnes reach our markets. The remaining five lakh tonnes come from other states. A quarter of that will be spoiled.

A large amount of fish crosses the border from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Goa to reach Kerala and not just in container lorries but also as parcels on trains. The Food Safety Department will investigate when there are complaints that rotten fish and fish laced with chemicals like formalin are widely available in the market. The test stops after a phase.

Last April, large quantities of rotten fish were found in Aluva, Thodupuzha, Nedumkandam, and Malappuram. Then the Food Safety Department launched a widespread inspection called 'Operation Matsya' but it did not last long. Less than 10 tons of fish could be ceased.

Fish becomes poison

• It can be stored in the freezer below zero degrees Celsius for up to three months. It will start to rot if left untraded immediately.
• Fish does not lose its luster if immersed in formalin solution.
• The gills of large fish, including seer fish, are lifted and injected with formalin
• The bacteria first reaches the fat in the fish and second to the protein. That's when the finger goes down when we touch the fish.