Checks being carried out at the Inanam Night Market in Kota Kinabalu after claims that prohibited dyes were being used to "freshen up" fish sold to consumers.
WHEN it comes to products being sold at markets – like fish – local authorities have a responsibility to ensure that what is available for buyers is safe for consumption.
As such, they have a responsibility to act when receiving complaints that sellers are using illegal techniques to convince buyers that their produce are fresh enough to be eaten safely.
Recently, it was claimed that the Kota Kinabalu City Hall is acting on a viral claim that some fishmongers in their enforcement area are using illegal dyes to make fish look fresher than it is.
Is this true?
VERDICT:
TRUE
A concerted operation is underway to check on claims that have gone viral online that fishmongers in the city are using prohibited dyes to “freshen up” the appearance of the seafood they are selling.
Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) said that it has detected at least one fish peddler suspected of placing prohibited dyes at the Inanam Market site during operations on Monday (Feb 19).
DBKK director-general Junainah Abbie said a sample of the fish sold has been taken to the Health Ministry's laboratory for a test to identify the suspected dye used.
She said they are now waiting for the Health Ministry report that would be used by the DBKK's Environmental Health Department (JKPB) for further action.
Junainah said the two-hour operation at the Inanam town market that began at 7pm on Monday involved personnel from the city hall's hawker management division together with the Health Department.
"The hawker was suspected of putting dyes on the fish he was selling. We are expecting the detailed report from the Health Ministry laboratory soon. “If it is proven that prohibited dyes were used, strict action will be taken against the fish traders involved," Junainah said on Tuesday (Feb 20).
Junainah said that their operation stemmed from complaints from the public about the use of certain prohibited dyes by fishmongers.
"We will be expanding our operations to other markets and act against those using prohibited dyes to mislead people to believe that the fish being sold is fresh," she said.
She said DBKK and the Health Department will take all necessary steps to ensure that hawkers comply with instructions not to use prohibited dyes for the safety of public health.
Over the weekend, people took to social media to highlight the issue of "red power" dyes being used to freshen up red fish locally known as "Uji Rashid" or big eye fish.
The social media users highlighted the alleged use of such dyes by fishmongers at the Inanam market.
A photo of a man pouring red dye into a barrel of fish at the Inanam marker was also shared in the social media recently.
