Body to probe contamination in shrimp exported to EU

EU - The Department of Fisheries (DoF) has launched an enquiry to investigate the allegation of contamination in shrimp, exported to some European countries by two local companies.

The Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Commission (EC) in Bangladesh Stefan Frowein in a recent letter to the Director General of DoF Nasir Uddin alleged that some consignments of shrimp exported by the M/S Lockpur Fish Processing Company Ltd and M/S National Seafood Industries Ltd was found contaminated with nitro-furan metabolite nitro-furazone.

He also said the health and consumer protection directorate general office of the EC has identified the contamination as hazardous for public health. He sought cooperation of DG of the DoF to immediately stop such kind of export.

Sources said DoF recently has formed a three-member committee to investigate into the matter. The committee asked to submit a details report within 30 days of its formation.

The DoF also served show cause notice to the concerned exporters why their export license should not be temporarily suspended. Besides, the DoF also sought explanation from the local competent authority, Deputy Director of the Fish Inspection and Quality Control (FIQC), Khulna, to explain the matter from his side.

Source: The New Nations