"Dyed" fish seized in Pasil

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Hall’s Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) confiscated around 10 kilograms of fishes that were adulterated with red dye in Pasil market early morning yesterday.

The fishes, which are locally known as “Suno” and “Pugapo,” were confiscated from vendors Buseran Jekere and Alonto Nasal.

The red dye, which is not a food grade, was allegedly used to make the fishes look fresh.

After a check, market inspectors have also found out that the Suno and Pugapo fishes had small fishes inside them to make them weigh heavier. The 10 kilograms of confiscated fishes allegedly worth more than P2,000.

Jakere and Nasal are guilty of violating the City Ordinance 2006, Resolution #04-4463 for Fish Adulteration. Under the city ordinance, the use of formaldehyde and other poisonous substances as preservative for fish and other aquatic and marine products in the City of Cebu is strictly prohibited.  The two vendors will be facing a 10-day suspension of their business permits and an administrative fine of P1,000.

Dr. Alice Utlang, chief of the DMVF, said the fishes that were adulterated with dye differ from the fresh ones because the dye gives them a brighter color.

She added that the recent incident means two things—one is that although DVMF has proven to be effective in executing the law by catching violators like this, it would also mean there are still many violators out there, and second, it also means that her people are working and not slacking off. — Barbara Anne B. Ocaba (THE FREEMAN)