Abu Dhabi temporarily halts selling of Vietnamese catfish

The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) has temporarily stopped selling of the Vietnamese Basa fish in local markets.

The ban followed website reports that basa catfish were feeding in irrigation waters contaminated with malachite green -- a chemical classified as Class II Health Hazard toxic to human cells that cause liver tumour formation.

Basa fish are known to grow from large rivers, in rapids and in deep, slower reaches and are important food fish with an international market.

ADFCA said that the suspension of Basa selling is pending investigation and analysis and will resume if it is found that the fish is fit for human consumption.