Cod fish sold in Singapore safe to eat: AVA
By Valarie Tan and Lynne Chee, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 25
January 2007 2030 hrs
SINGAPORE: Cod fish sold in Singapore is safe to
eat.
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority says the type of fish which
caused many to be sick in Hong Kong is not known to be available
here.
Mr Wong Tak Po, who called the MediaCorp News Hotline, was
initially concerned when he bought five pieces of cod fish at a
discount from a local supermarket.
Even though his family have since eaten two pieces, they have not
experienced any health problems.
AVA says the so-called "oil fish" that caused a food scare in Hong
Kong dwells near the bottom of the seabed, and has a waxy,
non-digestible substance, which can cause diarrhoea if taken in
large amounts. - CNA /dt
AVA tells traders to label fish correctly following reports
of oil fish sold as cod
Posted: 26 January 2007 1929 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority
in Singapore has instructed traders to comply with labelling
requirements.
This follows reports that oil fish is being touted and sold as cod
fish.
It says many consumers may not be aware of the laxative side
effects of eating oil fish due to the high content of indigestible
waxy oil.
If not prepared properly or eaten in large quantities, it could
cause diarrhoea in some consumers.
AVA says traders should correctly label the fish so that consumers
can identify it.
Under its Sale of Food Act, it is an offence to sell food products
which do not comply with labelling requirements.
If convicted, a person can be fined up to $5,000.
For subsequent convictions, he can be fined a maximum of $10,000 or
jailed up to 3 months or both.
MediaCorp has been receiving calls from the public voicing concern
about whether oil fish is safe to eat.
AVA says grilling will help to reduce the heavy fat content, and
not everyone who eats the fish will be affected.
It gives the assurance that fish sold in Singapore is safe to eat.
- CNA /dt
First they tell you this kind of fish
is not available here, the fish sold here is safe, then they tell
fish retailers to label their fish properly.
All those time when there is a certain food scare in neighbouring
countries, I wonder how many of those actually did affect us, but
was covered up by the authorities.
I wonder how many more cover ups are there, those that have not
surfaced.
