Mangaluru: Revenue Minister R V Deshpande has said that the Goa government had not banned fish from Karnataka, but instead was emphasising on compliance with the guidelies of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

Speaking to mediapersons here on Sunday, he said the Goa government was concerned about the quality of fish being supplied to the state from different parts of the country.

“I have spoken to Goa health minister Vishwajit Rane. The Goa government has made FSSAI certification compulsory folowing formalin content in the fish sent to that state. Fish is being transported to Goa from Kerala and Andhra Pradesh also,” he said.

Formalin is used to keep fish fresh. However, it spoils its quality and impacts of the health of the people. The fishermen of Karnataka have agreed to obtain the FSSAI certificate to ensure the quality of fish. "Our fishermen do not use any chemicals to preserve the fish while transporting. Instead, they use only ice to keep it fresh,” he said.