NEWS that the relevant Government experts found traces of embalming chemical in fish being sold in the Mandeville market is not just disturbing but downright frightening.

For while Jamaicans have every reason to be aware that criminals, parasites, and, in general terms, evil people are scattered about in the community, they have traditionally maintained confidence in the hardy men and women who retail food in markets all across the country.

Given the circumstances, this newspaper is by no means surprised that fish vendors in Mandeville are reporting a disastrous slump in sales. And we would not be at all surprised to find that declines in fish sales — even if not as precipitous as in Mandeville — are also taking place in other communities.

As we understand it, formaldehyde, the embalming substance found in the Mandeville fish sample, is poisonous when ingested. Indeed, the allegation that the chemical was being used to keep fish “fresh” and the subsequent tests, followed reports that someone fell ill after eating fish bought in the Manchester capital.

It seems reasonable to suggest that it takes a highly unusual level of cynicism and pure wickedness for someone to contaminate fish, intended for market, in such a fashion. We suppose it could be argued — but we would hesitate to buy into any such suggestion — that it was caused by pure ignorance.

But even as we condemn those who would poison their customers, we think it appropriate to point out that available evidence suggests that callous behaviour is abroad in our land not just at street level but at the highest echelons.

Those in leadership in politics, business, security et al who cynically and cruelly conspire in criminal and devious endeavours of whatever variety are equally worthy of our contempt.

That aside though, the Mandeville fish episode is a poignant reminder of the need for public health authorities to be constantly on their guard. We suspect that had the authorities been consistently conducting sampling tests — as a matter of course — as logic suggests they should, the issue may never have arisen.

The maintenance of standards in food quality is a matter of growing importance in today’s world. Increasingly, for example, trade barriers are being erected internationally because of the failure of some exporter countries to guarantee the “health and safety” of their food exports.

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Dr Christopher Tufton has led the drive for a system of “traceability” from “farm to fork” of agricultural products which would not only make it easier to provide those health and safety guarantees but also make life more difficult for praedial thieves. It’s a mission he has reiterated in his recent presentation to Parliament during the ongoing Sectoral Debate.

Perhaps a collaboration between the public health and fisheries authorities on developing a systematic traceability process for fish would also be in order.