Fruits highly soaked in formalin
Samples from city shops prove dangerous preservative use
Mango, blackberry and litchi sold in capital are soaked dangerously in formalin, according to Save the Environment Movement.
Most of the seasonal fruits, especially mango, blackberry and litchi which are sold in capital, are soaked -- up to 100 percent -- dangerously in formalin and can cause harm to your body, a recent study reveals.
Interestingly, the shops from where the fruits were collected include 10 which have signboards inscribed 'chemical-free fruits', according to Save the Environment Movement (SEM).
The group revealed this at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club Tuesday after conducting formalin test on mangoes, litchis and blackberries collected from different shops at 26 areas in the capital from June 1 to June 10.
It said around 94 percent mangoes and 100 percent blackberries and litchis are soaked in formalin.
"We had collected the samples from different fruit shops, including 10 shops that have put signboards claiming their fruits are chemical free," said Md Abdus Sobhan, secretary of SEM.
Sobhan, also former additional director general of Department of Environment, said they also found formalin in imported apple, grape and orange.
"But imported malta contains the most dangerous level of formalin."
He said they conducted the test through Z-300 Formaldehyde Meter.
The samples were collected from Gulshan-1, Gulshan-2, Satmasjid Road, Green Road, Fakirerpool, Shantinagar Bazar, Dhanmondi, Karwan Bazar, New Market, Kellar More Lalabagh, Rampura Bazar, Madhya Badda, Gulshan Gudaraghat, Malibagh, Azimpur, Palashi Bazar, Mouchak, Agargaon, Sadarghat, Badamtali, Gulistan, Jatrabari, Shah Ali Market, Town Hall Market, Jatrabari and Kalabagan.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments