"Eat Without Fear": Mamata Banerjee Dismisses 'Unsafe' Rumour On Tilapia Fish (Photo @Thriving_luos)

Amid rumours that consuming tilapia fish is unsafe and can cause cancer, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today asked the people to eat the fish without fear.

The chief minister while attending a meeting with bureaucrats at the state secretariat, dismissed the ‘unsafe’ rumour, noting the confirmation from officials that there was no evidence supporting the claims that eating tilapia is unsafe and causes cancer. The Trinamool Congress chief also questioned the officials, noting the lack of action against those who spread false misinformation about the tilapia fish.

The chief minister also exhorted bureaucrats to release Tilapia fish into ponds under the ‘Jal Bharo, Jal Dharo’ scheme.

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Following false rumours that the tilapia fish is unsafe to eat, attributing it to cancer, Malaysia’s Fisheries Department in 2023 clarified that the claims are false.

“This plant feed is widely used in the feed formula of salmon, tilapia and carp. There are no specific reports related to the negative effects on humans who eat tilapia fish that have been fed with GM soya or corn by FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), CODEX and USFDA (United States Food and Drug Administration). CODEX, WHO (World Health Organisation) and FDA as responsible organisations, aware of the effects and consequences if tilapia fish is not safe for consumers,” said a statement issued by the Malaysian authority back then.

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Addressing the claim that tilapia contain contains dioxin, a byproduct formed through a chemical process, said it is formed in natural occurrences such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires. The statement had also noted that irrespective of the types of fish, fishes that are nurtured in water contaminated with the mentioned substance may cause it to accumulate in them, adding that it is important to make sure the water is not contaminated by toxic substances.