Officials investigate mercury-tainted fish
By Zhang Xuanchen |
April 15, 2011, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
AUTHORITIES of east China are investigating mercury-tainted knife fish, an expensive but popular delicacy that recently hit the market, after a customer complained a seller added the lethal chemical to boost the weight and extend the shelf-life of the fish.
Authorities in Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, suspended the vendor's license as they investigate the local fish market, Modern Express reported yesterday. The tainted fish was imported from other areas in China and officials said they are tracking its source.
Officials said they haven't found other vendors selling tainted fish.
Knife fish are shaped like a short knife. With its soft bones and meat, it is considered a special product from the Yangtze River and often arrives at wet markets in spring. The price of the fish has remained high in recent years as stocks are depleting due to overfishing.
The fish was priced around 2,000 yuan (US$247) per kilogram.
A resident, identified by his online nickname "Hai Zi Qiu Tian," reported to the industry watchdog, claiming he found mercury inside two fish he bought at a market on Tuesday. He posted photos showing mercury dripping from the fish via his microblog on weibo.com. It gained much attention online.
He said the vendor used the mercury to boost the weight and shelf life of the fish.
Tainted knife fish were found in Nanjing in 2004.
Authorities in Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, suspended the vendor's license as they investigate the local fish market, Modern Express reported yesterday. The tainted fish was imported from other areas in China and officials said they are tracking its source.
Officials said they haven't found other vendors selling tainted fish.
Knife fish are shaped like a short knife. With its soft bones and meat, it is considered a special product from the Yangtze River and often arrives at wet markets in spring. The price of the fish has remained high in recent years as stocks are depleting due to overfishing.
The fish was priced around 2,000 yuan (US$247) per kilogram.
A resident, identified by his online nickname "Hai Zi Qiu Tian," reported to the industry watchdog, claiming he found mercury inside two fish he bought at a market on Tuesday. He posted photos showing mercury dripping from the fish via his microblog on weibo.com. It gained much attention online.
He said the vendor used the mercury to boost the weight and shelf life of the fish.
Tainted knife fish were found in Nanjing in 2004.
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