TUESDAY, JULY 26, 1983
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THE DEGREE PROGRAMME HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE AND FOLLOWING THE ADVICE OF THE COUNCIL FOR NATIONAL ACADEMIC AWARDS,
APPROVAL WAS GIVEN EARLIER FOR FIVE OTHER DEGREE COURSES TO BE OFFERED AT THE POLYTECHNIC, BEGINNING IN 1983-84. THESE ARE IN SOCIAL WORK, COMPUTER STUDIES, APPLIED SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS, ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING,
PUBLIC WARNED AGAINST EATING PUFFER FISH
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THE PUBLIC ARE TODAY WARNED AGAINST EATING PUFFER FISH WHICH CAN RESULT IN FATAL CASES OF FOOD POISONING.
THE WARNING WAS REPEATED BY A SPOKESMAN FOR THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOLLOWING A COMPLAINT THAT THE FISH IS AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN THE LOCAL MARKET.
THE SPOKESMAN RECALLED THAT IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, A MAN DIED AND TWO OTHERS BECAME SERIOUSLY ILL AFTER EATING PUFFER FISH.
+ THE POISON IN THE FISH CONCENTRATES IN THE INTERNAL ORGANS AND DIFFUSES INTO THE FLESH,+ HE EXPLAINED.
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+NORMALLY THE POISON IS MORE CONCENTRATED IN SUMMER AND THE MORE COLOURFUL THE SPECIES ARE, THE MORE POISONOUS THE FISH IS LIKELY TO BE.
+AS THE TOXIN LEVEL PRESENT IN PUFFER FISH VARIES FROM FISH TO FISH AND FROM SEASON TO SEASON, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO GUARANTEE OF SAFETY FOR ANY PERSON WHO EATS SUCH FISH.+
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT HEALTH STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT ARE KEEPING A CLOSE WATCH ON THE SALE OF THE FISH IN THE MARKET.
CIRCULAR LETTERS HAVE ALSO BEEN SENT TO FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS ADVISING THEM NOT TO OFFER THE FISH FOR SALE AS FOOD ON DISHES.
UNDER THE FOOD AND DRUGS OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES ORDINANCE, HE WARNED, ANY PERSON WHO SELLS PUFFER FISH FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IS LIABLE TO BE PROSECUTED.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT, THOSE IMPORTED PUFFER FISH MAY BE ALLOWED FOR SALE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
(1)
THAT THEY ARE ACCOMPANIED WITH AN OFFICIAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE COMPETENT HEALTH AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN CERTIFYING THAT THE FISH DO NOT CONTAIN ANY HARMFUL SUBSTANCES;
(10) THAT THEY ARE FIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION; AND
1) THAT THEY ARE PERMITTED TO BE SOLD AS FOOD FOR HUMAN
CONSUMPTION IN THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN.
IN ANY CASE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ANYONE FEELING UNWELL AFTER EATING FISH OR FISHMEAT SHOULD CONSULT A DOCTOR AT ONCE.
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