Fish consumers in the country risk contracting various diseases, following revelation that formalin, a chemical used for embalming corpses is being used to preserve fish at Axim in the Western Region.

Mr Aquinas Tawiah Quansah, Deputy Minister of fisheries, made the disclosure during a visit to Shama, to interact with stakeholders in the fisheries sector on new insurance policy for fishermen.

He said fishmongers in Axim in the Nzema East Municipality use the preservative agent to store tuna and other large fishes in order to remain fresh for a long period.

Reacting to this development, Mr Solomon Agampim, Western and Central Regional Zonal Manager of Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), said the chemical is harmful for human consumption.

He said the preservative could cause harm to unsuspecting consumers.

Mr Agampim said although the report had not come to his attention, he would dispatch personnel of the FDA to Axim to carry test on fishes and seize any fish stock that contains the preservative agent.

According to experts, high consumption of formalin could cause damage to the cornea in the eyes and result in loss of vision.