Pesticides and cured fish

Pesticides are dangerous things. They are poisons. We use them to poison insects but they could poison us as well. It is obviously sensible not to use them if any alternative exists.

Unfortunately there is at present no other way of controlling blowfly infestation of fish which is being dried. As explained in the text, one insecticide, pirimiphos methyl, can safely be used an fish, under properly controlled conditions. It has been approved by the FAD/WHO Codex Alimentairius for use on various foodstuffs, including fish.

In many countries, fish processors do not know about pirimiphos methyl, or that it is the only pesticide which should be used on fish. They do know that blowfly left unchecked would consume much of their fish, that is, their income. Consequently they use on their fish whatever pesticides come to hand, many of which are highly toxic and should not be used on food.

Because of the dangers of pesticides, and their adverse publicity, some governments have banned the use of pesticides on fish. Making something illegal does not necessarily stop it happening, and the authors have visited countries where blowflies appear to have developed an unexpected and mysterious dislike for fish. Pesticides are banned, and fish processors strenuously deny using them, but there is not a single blowfly on the fish. Or is it that processors do use them, when no-one is looking?

If pesticides are being used on fish, then it is vital to protect the consumer by making sure that only the safe one is used, and used properly under the approved conditions.