Meat in a butchery. The first sign that meat contains drugs including formalin is the absence of flies. [Photo/biasharatalk.com]
The use of formalin in the preservation of food is an extremely alarming public health issue that should not be taken lightly due to its dangerous and even fatal consequences.According to the World Health Organisation, unsafe food containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances such as formalin, causes more than 200 diseases ranging from diarrhea to cancers.How to detect the drugsThe first sign that meat contains drugs including formalin is the absence of flies. Also, exposure to its gas or vapour can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and respiratory tract, causing sneezing. So bringing the suspicious meat close to your eyes should cause your eyes to water or make you sneeze. However, it is important to note that multiple exposures can lead to asthma, sore throat, larynx constriction, bronchitis, and pneumonia.Skin irritationFormalin can also affect the skin, causing dermatitis or allergic reaction. According to the American Cancer Society, several studies have found that embalmers and medical professionals that use formaldehyde (the substance used to make formalin) have an increased risk of leukemia, particularly myeloid leukemia. Leukemia is a type of cancer that starts at the born marrow.SafetyThe obvious way to prevent oneself from being exposed to formalin would be to abstain from consuming the tainted meat. In instances where this is difficult, it is good to cut down on the frequency and the portion. Here the thinking is that the less meat one consumes, the fewer toxins they are exposed to.