NGO warns vs 'bleached' cream dory

MANILA, Philippines - Non-government organization Tambuyong Development Center yesterday warned that packed cream dory fish reportedly “contaminated” with preservatives and bleaching chemicals are being sold in supermarkets.

In a press conference, Tambuyong Center spokesperson Sonny Batungbakal said they received information from a “highly placed source in the local fish industry” that filleted cream dory treated with sulfuric acid and potassium hydroxide is sold in supermarkets in the country.

He said these agents are purportedly used to turn the fillet products from yellowish to white, which is more appealing to consumers. 

Batungbacal said they inquired with concerned government agencies if they can test fish products for such chemicals but received a negative response from government and private testing centers.

Batungbacal said most cream dory fish being sold in the country are from Vietnam; some are from China. Four local firms repack the fish from Vietnam.                                           – Reinir Padua