Formalin (CH2O) Contamination in Seafood and Frozen Meat Imported into Timor-Leste

Studies were carried out to detect formalin contamination and the levels of formalin in imported seafood, frozen meatand a few locally produced food. Imported seafood and frozen meat samples from supermarkets situated within Dili city were purchased and tested using Colorimetric determination with color card and sliding comparator. Formalin were detected in all the supermarket surveyed and also in the locally produced seafood. Meat and fish are contaminated at different level of contamination. The highest contamination (50%) was found in fish with 13 samples positive (2 samples were contaminated at the level of 2.25 mg/kg; 1 sample at the level of 7.2 mg/kg, 2 samples at the level of 9 mg/kg, 5 samples at the level of 13.5 mg/kg, one sample at the level of 17 mg/kg and 2 sample at the level of 25.5 mg/kg). The second highest (23.1%) level of contamination of formalin was found in chicken with 6 samples positive with different level of contamination (one sample at the level of 0.9 mg/kg, 2 samples at the level of 3.6 mg/kg, one sample at the level of 5.40, one sample at the level of 7.2 mg/kg, and one sample at the level of 9 mg/kg). The third most contaminated of formalin was detected in prawn/shrimp with 3 samples postive at different level of contamination (one sample at 2.25 mg/kg and 2 samples at the level of 13.50 mg/kg). Whereas pork – 0.4 and 5.4 mg/kg, sausage - 9 mg/kg and nuget – 3.6 mg/kg). The level of contamination mostly above the maximum limit of 5 mg/kg and pose a threat to public health in Timor-Leste.