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Consumers' Group Calls on Feds To Stop Importation of Carcinogenic Fish Products From Asia |
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Written by Wire Services
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Friday, 25 November 2005 |
The Consumers' Association of Canada today called on the Canadian Government to immediately ban the further importation of certain fish products from China and Vietnam. "A cancer causing banned fungicide, Malachite Green, is being used by fish farmers in some Asian countries, particularly Vietnam and China", said Mr. Bruce Cran, President of the Association. "Independent labs tests of these fish purchased at Canadian supermarkets have shown that consumers are being sold these contaminated
fish."
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is the Federal watchdog responsible for the safety of the Canadian food supply. "Canadian Consumers depend on this Agency to ensure these contaminated fish do not enter Canada and it is failing to do so", said Mr. Cran.
In tests done this year by the CFIA of farmed fish from Vietnam 43% of fish tested were contaminated with the cancer-causing agent. "This is a stunning number," said Mr. Cran. The response of the CFIA has been to test 5 fish out of several thousand that come in as part of each shipment. "If the five fish tested happen to be clean ones the rest of the shipment has then been approved for sale even though it can be full of contaminated fish".
"That's what happened recently when these fish from an approved shipment were purchased at a British Columbia supermarket," said Mr. Cran. "These shipments went through the CFIA inspection process, were approved, then sold to consumers even though they were contaminated. This is not acceptable."
The response of the CFIA has been to remain silent and not publicly advise Canadian consumers about this contamination. Consumers need to have high trust and confidence in the food supply system. Farmed fish from Asian countries should not be allowed into Canada given the current high level of cancer causing substances used by these suppliers. "No further imports of these fish should be allowed from these countries until there is clear evidence that these substances are no longer being used," said Mr. Cran.
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