The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Dr CS Karim at his office where ways to stop the use of formalin in food items, especially fishes, were discussed. All concerned government authorities, law enforcing agencies, fish importers and exporters, representatives of Fish Wholesalers Association and Fish Retailers Association were present in the meeting.

The adviser told The Daily Star that nobody has the right to put people's life at risk to make profit in business and his government will take strict actions against those people.

"Apart from testing the fish for formalin, we will try to raise awareness among fish importers, wholesalers, retailers and other concerned people to stop the use of formalin," Karim said, adding, "If it does not work effectively, we will have be strict."

"The use of formalin in fish is not only harming our people, it is also having a negative affect on our reputation abroad as fish exporter," he said.

Director General of Department of Fisheries Nazrul Islam also emphasised the need to stop the use of formalin. He, however, said his department needs more manpower to supervise the fish market if they were ordered to do so.