Uddin et al., 2011 S. J. Pharm. Sci.

4(1): 49-52

Detection of Formalin in Fish Samples Collected from

Dhaka City, Bangladesh
*Riaz Uddin, Moin Ibna Wahid, Tasbira Jesmeen, Naz Hasan Huda, Kumar Bishwajit Sutradhar
Department of Pharmacy, Stamford University Bangladesh, 51, Siddeswari Road, Dhaka-1217, Bangladesh.

Original Research Article

ABSTRACT
Fish is an important food stuff and source of protein all over the world. In Bangladesh fisheries sector contributes
a lot in case of earning foreign currency and meeting domestic need of animal protein. To meet the domestic
need Bangladesh imports fish and fish products from neighboring countries. But it is evident from several
studies that fish items in Bangladesh contain formalin which is a highly hazardous and carcinogenic chemical.
An attempt was taken to detect the extent of formalin use in fish available in Dhaka city. From five different local
markets five species of fishes were collected and presence of formalin was detected using the “formalin detection
kit in fish” developed by Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR). The study indicates
that 70% Rui fish is formalin contaminated and almost 50% of fish samples contain formalin.

Key words: Formaldehyde, BCSIR, Formalin detection kit, Carcinogen, Fisheries, Livestock.

INTRODUCTION increased significantly over the last few decades

The role of fisheries and livestock sectors in the (DoF, 2009) but it is not sufficient to meet up the
development of agro-based economy of growing demand of the country (Yeasmin et al.,
Bangladesh is very important and promising. 2010a). As a result imported fishes from
They contribute around 8% to national income, neighboring countries enter in the domestic
which also is 32% of the total agricultural market and it was reported that more than 80
income. About 90% of animal protein in our diet metric ton of fish and fishery products enter into
comes from fish and livestock (MoFL, 2011). The Bangladesh every day through the Teknaf
fisheries sector contributes 5.10%, of the border from Myanmar (Kibria, 2007). Available
country's export earnings, 4.91% of its GDP and reports suggest that formalin is sometimes
provides 63% of the national animal protein added or sprayed to the fishes by the fish
consumption. Fish and fishery products are the traders while transporting to domestic
country's third largest export commodity marketing chain to prevent spoilage and
contributing 5.10% of its exchange earnings, in increase shelf life (Yeasmin et al., 2010a). Studies
2002–2003 Bangladesh earned US$ 324 million of conducted at different markets in Dhaka city
which shrimp alone contributed 72% of the total (Hossain et al., 2008; Haque and Mohsin, 2009)
by quantity and 89% by value (FAO, 2011). It is and Mymensingh Sadar (Yeasmin et al., 2010a)
claimed that the total fish production has rationalizes the incidence of adding
formaldehyde/formalin to fishes especially
*Corresponding Author imported from neighboring countries.
Riaz Uddin
Lecturer, Department of Pharmacy
Stamford University Bangladesh Formaldehyde is the simplest member of
51, Siddeswari Road aldehyde family but a very reactive chemical,
Dhaka-1217, Bangladesh where the gaseous form is known as
E-mail: [email protected]
Contact No.: +880 1749995653
formaldehyde and the liquid form as formalin

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Uddin et al., 2011 S. J. Pharm. Sci. 4(1): 49-52

(Noordiana et al., 2011). Formalin is a solution of Table 1. Distribution of fishes being tested.
37% (w/w) of formaldehyde (H-CHO) in water
Quantity
which is used as a preservative in medical Fish Market Fish Species Tested
laboratories, as an embalm fluid and as a (pcs.)
sterilizer. Formalin is also used in treatment Jatrabari Bazar Rui (Labeo rohita) 4
against fish diseases caused by protozoa and Catla (Catla catla) 4
fungi. Food and Drug Administration of the Mrigal (Cirrhina mrigala) 4
United States approved formalin for use in Ilish (Hilsa ilisa) 4
aquaculture as parasiticides and fungicides. It is, Sharputi (Puntius sarana) 4
however, not approved for usage in aquaculture Kawran Bazar Rui (Labeo rohita) 4
Catla (Catla catla) 4
in Europe and Japan because of its association
Mrigal (Cirrhina mrigala) 4
with cancer and tumor development. Use of
Ilish (Hilsa ilisa) 4
formalin in food for human consumption is also Sharputi (Puntius sarana) 4
banned in Bangladesh (Yeasmin et al., 2010b). Super Shop, Rui (Labeo rohita) 4
Recently, International Agency for Research on Dhanmondi Catla (Catla catla) 4
Cancer (IARC, 2004) has classified Mrigal (Cirrhina mrigala) 4
formaldehyde as a Group 1 carcinogenic to Ilish (Hilsa ilisa) 4
humans. According to the United States Sharputi (Puntius sarana) 4
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Super Shop, Rui (Labeo rohita) 4
maximum daily dose reference (RfD) for Moghbazar Catla (Catla catla) 4
Mrigal (Cirrhina mrigala) 4
formaldehyde is 0.2 μg/g body weight per day
Ilish (Hilsa ilisa) 4
(Wang et al., 2007; Noordiana et al., 2011). Even
Sharputi (Puntius sarana) 4
those who spray or inject formalin over a long Super Shop, Rui (Labeo rohita) 4
period of time will likely suffer health Kazipara Catla (Catla catla) 4
complications such as blindness, asthma and Mrigal (Cirrhina mrigala) 4
even lung cancer (Hossain, 2011). Ilish (Hilsa ilisa) 4
Sharputi (Puntius sarana) 4
Total Number of Samples = 100
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fish sample collection
Qualitative detection of formalin using
Fish samples were collected from different mar-
Formalin Detection Kit for Fish®
kets in Dhaka city. The markets include Jatrabari
Qualitative detection of formalin was performed
Bazar, Karwan Bazar, and different super shops
by the formalin detection kit for fish® developed
at Dhanmondi, Maghbazar and Kazipara. Fish
by Bangladesh Council of Scientific and
samples include Rui (Labeo rohita), Catla (Catla
Industrial Research (BCSIR). This kit contains
catla), Mrigal (Cirrhina mrigala), Ilish (Hilsa ilisa)
three different solutions labeled as solution 1, 2
and Sarputi (Puntius sarana).
and 3. First, the samples (cut fish parts) were
washed with small quantity of water and a
portion of washed out water was taken in a test
tube using a dropper incorporated in the kit. 15
drops of solution 1 was added in the test-tube
containing washed out water. After well
stirring, the solution was allowed react for 30
second. 15 drops of solution 2 was added in the
same test-tube. After waiting for 30 seconds,
solution 3 was added, change in color pink or
red indicated the presence of formalin whereas
unchanged color indicated the sample is free
from formalin.
Figure 1. Formalin Detection Kit for Fish®
developed by BCSIR.

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Uddin et al., 2011 S. J. Pharm. Sci. 4(1): 49-52

120% 90%

80%
100%
70%

80% 60%

50% YES

60% YES
40%
NO
NO 30%
40%
20%

20% 10%

0%
0% Jatrabari Bazar Kawran Bazar Super Shop, Super Shop, Super Shop,
Rui Catla Mrigal Ilish Sharputi Dhanmondi Maghbazar Kazipara

Figure 2. Fish species-wise presence of formalin. Figure 3. Market wise presence of formalin in
fish samples.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION a long time. But as it is a carcinogenic chemical

A total of 100 fishes were tested for the and has got the ability to produce serious health
experiment (Table 1) among which Rui was hazards like cancers of the lung, nasopharynx,
found to be mostly affected by formalin (70%, oropharynx and nasal passage to the population
Figure 2). Relatively small fish Sharputi regulatory bodies should take necessary steps to
contained 0% formalin. The super shop at minimize and stop formalin treatment of the
Moghbazar was found to trade less formalin fish. The current study involves a small number
treated fishes (20% formalin treated fishes were of samples to detect formalin in fish in local
found, Figure 3). market in Dhaka city. But it gives us a
comprehensive picture to understand the extent
In 2011, the National Toxicology Program, an and magnitude of the scenario.
interagency program of the Department of
Health and Human Services, named
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