Signs of formaldehyde poisoning
Dr. Nguyen Thu Ha, from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Nam Saigon International General Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City), stated that formaldehyde is commonly used in the production of phenolic resins, melamine formaldehyde resins, urea-formaldehyde glue, disinfectants in hatcheries and fish ponds, and preservatives for human and animal organs used as research samples.
"Formaldehyde is a highly toxic substance. When our bodies are exposed to formaldehyde for extended periods, it can cause many dangerous health complications such as pneumonia, gastritis, skin necrosis… and can even cause cancer with long-term exposure," Dr. Ha emphasized.
Signs of formaldehyde poisoning may include tearing, increased salivation, throat irritation, dry cough, difficulty breathing; increasing nausea, abdominal pain and cramping, vomiting (including blood), mouth pain, blood in the urine; impaired motor coordination, tremors, unsteady gait; decreased blood pressure, rapid heart rate, loss of consciousness, and even coma.
When choosing fish, try gently pressing it; if it feels soft and elastic, it's likely still fresh.
Some things to keep in mind when choosing food.
Dr. Ha stated that it is very difficult to identify food containing formaldehyde with the naked eye. Therefore, when buying food, we should choose fresh food that feels soft to the touch and is not dry or hard. There are a few points to note as follows:
For fish: When gently pressing the fish, if it feels soft, highly elastic, and the flesh is firm and adheres tightly to the bone, it is likely that the fish does not contain formaldehyde. Choose fish that are less slimy, have a characteristic fishy smell, are bright red or dark red in color, and have bright, clear, and slightly protruding eyes. The fish should be preserved at a cold temperature using ice or a refrigerator.
Avoid choosing fish that show signs of discoloration such as gills that are no longer bright red or dark red, soft, loose flesh that doesn't stick firmly to the bones, fish with damaged bellies, easily detached scales, and an unusual fishy smell.
For shrimp, squid, and octopus : Choose fresh ones that have been preserved with ice, are not slimy, are whole, and have their heads firmly attached to their bodies; they should feel naturally firm and elastic to the touch; and they should have a characteristic fishy smell, without any strange odors (such as ammonia, pungent, or foul odors). For squid and octopus, the eyes should be clear and slightly protruding. Do not buy seafood that looks fresh on the outside but feels soft, mushy, and lacks elasticity when touched. When cooked, the meat will be mushy and lack the characteristic sweetness and aroma.
For shrimp, squid, and octopus, choose those that are fresh, preserved with ice, have little slime, are whole, and have their heads firmly attached to their bodies.
Regarding rice noodles and pho noodles : If the noodles and pho noodles do not contain formaldehyde, they will feel slightly mushy, easily broken, and somewhat sticky and soft to the touch. If they contain formaldehyde, the noodles will be firmer, harder to break, and will not feel sticky or soft to the touch, nor will they have the mild sour smell of soaked rice…
"In addition, food should be thoroughly washed under running water because formaldehyde dissolves in water, which helps to reduce its presence to some extent. It's important to note that formaldehyde is also formed when grilling or smoking food… therefore, limit your consumption of commercially available grilled or smoked foods," Dr. Ha advised.
Authorities discovered 3.2 tons of mackerel containing formaldehyde.
As Thanh Nien Online reported, on October 17th, information from the Thanh Hoa Market Management Department indicated that at approximately 1 AM that same day, forces from Market Management Team No. 10 ( thuộc Thanh Hoa Market Management Department) coordinated with the Economic Police Department of Thanh Hoa Provincial Police to inspect and discover a truck towing a trailer carrying a large quantity of unidentified scad fish.
Upon inspection, authorities discovered that the vehicle was carrying numerous styrofoam boxes containing approximately 3.2 tons of scad fish.
Authorities conducted a quick test and discovered formaldehyde in the styrofoam containers holding the sweet potato fish. At the time of the inspection, the driver was unable to produce any documents proving the product's origin.
Authorities have documented the incident and temporarily seized all 3.2 tons of scad fish to continue verification, clarification, and handling in accordance with the law.
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