December 29, 2006

Guangdong on the hunt for contaminated Jiudu fish shipments

"Jiudu" fish from Yangjiang City in Guangdong, which exceeded formaldehyde levels, has been banned, according to Guangdong Jiangyang Industry and Commerce Administration.

Towards the end of November, "Jiudu" fish samples from 7 agri-produce markets were sampled and all tested positive high formaldehyde levels, with some reaching 119.6mg/kg.

As the fish rots easily, it can only be stored under temperatures of 2 deg C to 4 Deg C. Without preservatives, it can only be edible within the day.

Guangzhou Industry and Commerce Administration has been monitoring the situation on contaminated fish closely and plans to test Jiudu fish throughout Guangzhou. Any shipment found with exceeded levels of formaldehyde would be destroyed, authorities said.