The use of chemicals in drying marine products such as fish and shrimp is increasing in Arakan State, where most of the workforce is engaged in the agriculture or fisheries industries.
Residents in Arakan State’s Pauktaw, Sittwe, Myebon, Kyaukphyu, Gwa and Thandwe townships mostly work in the marine industry, and dried fish that have been treated with chemicals are widely sold in township markets, said an official from Kyaukphyu Township’s Department of Fisheries.
U Hsan Win Aung, deputy staff officer from Kyaukphyu Township's Department of Fisheries, said that various chemicals are used to dry the fish that can cause cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease if consumed.
“As the chemicals penetrate into the flesh of the fish, if you use too much chemical, the effect is direct. Using chemicals in dried aquatic products can cause headaches, nausea and high blood pressure, which can lead to allergies,” he said, adding that the probability of cancer is higher.
He continued that those operating in the drying business of aquatic products should not use chemicals and instead dry fish and shrimp in the sun in order to avoid harm to consumers.
Employees from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will conduct field tests in some townships due to the current situation in Arakan State.
“We are scheduled to conduct field inspections next month,” said Dr. Tin Ko Win, an official from Arakan State’s FDA.
U Hsan Win Aung suggested the use of an advanced technology from Thailand.
“Thailand’s solar drying system is now being used throughout Asia. In order to reduce the use of pesticides to improve the quality of dried fish, it can be dried in a solar drying room, and there will be no more flies. The environment does not smell anymore. If you are interested in this system, you can get good quality dried fish,” he said.
Using the solar system, fish drying can be done regardless of the weather, and the resulting dried fish does not pose health hazards to consumers.
Fish drying facilities using solar systems are being built by international organisations in multiple Arakan State townships, but the businessmen are not using them, saying that consumers do not like them.
U Oo Sein Tun, a dried fish operator who lives in Chaungwa Village in Arakan State’s Pauktaw Township, said that dried fish operators should reduce their use of chemicals in order to avoid harm to consumers.
“The use of chemicals seems to cause harm to people. Not only fish, but also vegetables contain chemicals,” he said.
It has been reported that the use of chemicals in the drying of aquatic products in Arakan State has been observed for the past three years.
