How to Distinguish Formalin-Tainted Fish Amid Rogue Trader Concerns

The discovery of black pomfret testing positive for formalin in laboratory tests may cause concern among the public. However, a positive formaldehyde result in marine fish does not always mean the fish was intentionally treated with formalin by traders. A creator in an educational video uploaded via the TikTok account @cerita_ikan explained there are two things the public needs to understand regarding the presence of formaldehyde in marine fish. Firstly, a number of marine fish can have naturally occurring formaldehyde. This is related to the presence of Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in the fish’s body. TMAO is a compound found in various marine organisms and plays a role in helping the body cope with marine environmental conditions. After the fish dies, chemical and enzymatic processes can cause changes in these compounds and, in certain types of fish, produce formaldehyde naturally. “Marine fish naturally have formaldehyde in their bodies,” according to the explanation in the TikTok video. According to the explanation, the presence of natural formaldehyde is one thing that needs to be considered when reading fish test results. Moreover, certain testing methods can detect the presence of formaldehyde but may not necessarily be able to directly determine its source. “This testing tool can only read whether there is formaldehyde or not. This tool cannot distinguish between natural formaldehyde content and formalin content poured by irresponsible individuals,” he explained. Nonetheless, the public still needs to be wary of the potential misuse of formalin in fishery products. The video mentioned that the practice of deliberately adding formalin by unscrupulous traders can still occur. The motives include cutting storage costs and efforts to maintain the fish’s appearance so it looks fresher for longer. “Honestly, it exists. The motive is economic. They are reluctant to spend money on buying ice cubes. So they douse it with industrial formalin to make the fish stiff and look durable,” he revealed. How to Recognise Fish Containing Formalin So, how can consumers recognise fish suspected of having been treated with formalin if they do not have testing equipment? The public can observe several physical characteristics of the fish. Fish suspected of being treated with formalin usually have a very stiff and unnatural flesh texture. A chemical or ammonia-like odour should also be watched out for. Additionally, fish that are not bothered by flies even after being left in an open environment for quite a long time can be a sign to scrutinise. However, these characteristics are not a substitute for laboratory testing to confirm the chemical content in the fish. Conversely, fresh fish generally have a characteristic sea aroma and a springy, elastic flesh texture when pressed. Proper fish handling also typically uses cold temperatures, for example by placing it on a pile of ice. Consumers buying fish in traditional markets are also advised to shop in the morning to obtain fish in fresher condition, especially for products shipped from outside the region. “My advice is to buy in the morning, the fish is guaranteed to still be fresh. If it is shipped from out of town, we can still get it in prime condition,” he explained.