THREE fish farms in Shandong Province have been punished for the use of banned fish medicines that resulted in carcinogens being discovered in turbot on sale in Shanghai earlier this month, the Ministry of Agriculture said yesterday (Nov 27).

Tests by the ministry confirmed that Xianjin Fish Farm in Taoluo Township, Rizhao City, Baijia Aquatic Products Co. Ltd. in Yantai City and Taida Aquatic Farms in Rizhao City used the antibiotic chloramphenicol, the parasite-killing malachite green and the germ-inhibiting Furazolidone (AOZ) illegally in their feed to help turbot, a popular type of flatfish, ward off diseases.

Malachite green and AOZ are believed to be able to cause cancer if consumed in excessive amounts. National standards stipulate no antibiotics should be found in fish.

The three farms have been ordered to suspend sale and pay fines of unspecified amounts. Their products were also destroyed. The ministry promised to track down the sellers of the banned medicines.

In mid-November, Shanghai's food authority detected traces of the banned medicines in turbot on sale in the city, sparking fear around the nation.

Although Shanghai officials said the levels they detected were not high enough to cause cancer, longtime consumption can result in a health threat.

Many cities, including Shenzhen, suspended sales of the fish. Turbot on sale in Shenzhen were found to be safe following tests after the Shanghai scare. But Shenzhen food safety authorities have promised to check turbot more thoroughly to make sure the fish contains no carcinogens.

China has been hit by a series of food safety scandals in recent years as small-time manufacturers and traders try to make a profit using dubious means.

Earlier this month, authorities killed more than 5,000 ducks that farmers fed with a cancer-causing dye to make the eggs look redder and fresher. The eggs were also banned from sale.

In August, nearly 40 people in Beijing contracted meningitis after they ate raw or partially cooked snails at restaurants.

In 2004, authorities disclosed that at least 13 babies had died from malnutrition in the country's impoverished eastern province of Anhui after being fed fake baby milk.

Editor: Wing