Malachite Green found in Shrimp exports from Bangladesh

Malachite green is a triphenylmethane dye used in the aquaculture industry to treat fungal infections, however it has been banned in many countries. Research suggests that it is harmful to human health causing toxic effects including carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, teratogenicity and respiratory toxicity.

In October 2022 there was a border rejection notification for Malachite green in shrimp from Bangladesh arriving into Belgium. The risk was deemed serious and the action to have the products destroyed was taken. Another serious border rejection alert in November 2022 then followed for Leuco-malachite Green in shrimp from Bangladesh arriving into Belgium. Analytical results from both shipments show these unauthorised substances over the maximum amount of 2 µg/kg – ppb.

Randox Food Diagnostics have developed the Malachite Green FAST ELISA which can be used to screen 5 compounds including malachite green, leucomalachite green, crystal violet, leucocrystal violet and brilliant green. Up to 40 samples can be analysed within 90 minutes giving the user accurate results in a short time frame. This ELISA is validated for testing catfish, prawn and shrimp.

Randox Food Diagnostics also offer the Antimicrobial Array III for testing AOZ, AMOZ, AHD and SEM. Using Biochip Array Technology users can test multiple drug residues from a single sample in a variety of aquaculture species, with unrivalled detection limits and excellent specificity.

For more information on our screening solutions for seafood testing, please contact us via email: info@randoxfooddiagnostics.com