Local fish not contaminated with industrial chemical: gov't

By Lee Joon-seung

SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Yonhap) -- Fish that may have been exposed to tainted feed have all tested negative for residual traces of the industrial chemical melamine, which can cause kidney problems in humans, the government said Monday.

The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said it tested samples
from 61 fish farms that bought feed from a manufacturer in Incheon west of Seoul,
but none showed signs of contamination.
Detailed sample tests of fish grown at these farms that were supplied by the
Incheon company began on Friday after the industrial compound was detected in the
feed ingredient.
South Korea first confirmed traces of melamine in fish feed made by a
manufacturer in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province, on Sept. 19. The company used
both locally and imported powdered squid as an ingredient to make fish feed.
The ministry said that because no traces of melamine were found, the ban on sale
of fish from these facilities has been lifted. All sales had been banned as of
late last week pending the result of examinations.
Experts said that the result of the tests were expected since the chemical
naturally leaves the fish 10-15 days after being ingested.
Melamine is a nitrogen-based chemical that can pose health risks if consumed in
large quantities, but does not pile up in the body like mercury. It is used
widely in kitchen utensils like ladles, but Chinese dairy producers were recently
caught adding the chemical to milk products. Nitrogen can increase apparent
protein content levels, translating into higher dairy prices.