No Plastic Fish On The Market – FDA Assures
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has stated categorically that, there is no plastic or foam fish in the market as suspected in a video circulating on social media.
In a statement issued last Friday, the Authority says thorough market surveillance shows the fish seen in the video was not plastic or foam as alleged.
In video that went viral on December 1, 2018, a woman who claimed to have bought fish from the market lamented how the fish had turned to ‘foam’ after defrosting.
The woman could be seen squeezing the thawed fish while water seeped from the fish just like water would trickle out of foam soaked in water.
But the FDA says what was seen in the video is not ‘plastic’ but rather fishes with collagen in their skin.
“These fishes have this type of thick collagen containing skin because they do not have their entire bodies protected by scales.
“When fish is frozen the expansion of water in its cells stretches the cells and muscle tissues. The muscle fibres thus become weak and reduce its in-water holding capacity. This further affects the ability of the muscle fibres to retain ice crystals during subsequent freezing.” Thus making the fish ‘spongy’ in nature, the statement read.
“The multiple freeze-thawing process results in the ‘spongy’ or ‘foamy’ nature of fishes,” the FDA explained.
They therefore instructed that thawed fish or meat should not be re-frozen while frozen meat and fish be stored in a stable temperature of 18 degree Celsius or cooler.
Individuals who notice anything unusual with regards food safety can contact the FDA on 0299802932, 0299802933, Short Code: 4015 on all networks expect Glo.
By: Grace Ablewor Sogbey
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