There is no cause for alarm over the plastic-like substances allegedly coating imported mackerels, agriculture officials said.
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Regional Director Fatma Idris said the substances found on fishes are not plastics but are coverings similar to skin or hair protein that are naturally found in the fish.
The regional offices of the Department of Agriculture (DA) XI and BFAR XI held a joint meeting last Friday to discuss the matter.
The issue surfaced following a viral video clip showing an unidentified man peeling off a transparent material in galunggong (mackerel scad).
The video has caused alarm among consumers as well as the concerned agencies.
The BFAR immediately sent mackerel specimens to the Philippine Institute of Pure and Applied Chemistry (PIPAC).
The result was negative.
The agency advised the public to be extra vigilant and report any unusual appearance found on the products they have bought.
