Paribesh Bachao Andolan (Poba) in their test spotted presence of formalin in seasonal fruits available in different markets of Dhaka.
The environmental organisation found existence of formalin in 95% of leeches and 100% of black berries, which they collected as samples from the markets.
The organisation in a press conference on Wednesday said that it has also found formalin in other fruits. The press conference was held to inform the present situation of formalin use in seasonal fruits.
Poba executive general secretary Md Abdus Sobhan told the journalists that the organisation examined seasonal fruits like mangoes, black berries, leeches, apples and maltas, which were collected from 35 areas of the capital from June 1-10. The chemical-test was done in Poba’s office.
In the test, formalin was detected in 14 samples of blackberries. Moreover, formalin was spotted in 66% mangoes, 59% apples, 69% maltas and 87% grapes.
Besides, Poba also collected samples of chemical-treated fruits from several markets of Chittagong on April 22-23.
Poba spotted 100% formalin in safeda fruits, pineapples and grapes. Moreover, formalin was used in 33% of apples, 77% of maltas and 50% of oranges.
Poba said that it is not enough to punish the vendors and the persons who are involved in lacing formalin in foods. Poba executive secretary Md Abdus Sobhan said the involved persons should be punished under section 25 of Special Powers Act. The section refers death sentence and lifetime jail for the convicts.
Source: Prothom Alo