A covert investigation by China Central Television has revealed that some live fish sold in aquatic markets may be sedated with illegally used alcohol and unapproved chemicals. In response, market regulators across the country have begun cracking down on practices that harm consumer interests.

The findings came after more than two months of undercover reporting by CCTV's financial news team, which visited aquatic markets, fish producers, and catering businesses across the country.

At one aquatic market in Chongqing, CCTV reporters observed that large quantities of live fish transported over long distances arrived in a "dormant" state. The fish lay motionless in the water, as if they were dead, but revived quickly after being oxygenated. Vendors uniformly claimed the fish were "sleeping".

During transport, however, the reporters witnessed the workers adding a bottle cap of a liquid labeled as a fish sedative into containers holding live fish. Once mixed, the previously lively fish became still and limp almost instantly.

These liquids were found without a production date, manufacturer, or license. The vendors said the use of sedatives helps with loading and unloading and prevents fish from losing scales during transport, according to the report.

While the highly toxic and carcinogenic chemical malachite green was banned as early as 2002 and has largely disappeared from the market, new unregulated products have quietly emerged, often containing eugenol as a main ingredient and marketed under names like "fish calming agents". Eugenol is a chemical found in certain essential oils and has mild anesthetic effects. Its toxicity generally disqualifies it for clinical use.

So far, China has not conducted safety evaluations on whether anesthetics such as eugenol can be used on live aquatic products. These substances are not included on the approved list for aquaculture use, and there are no established standards for dosage or residue limits. They are also not part of routine testing, the report said.

Medical experts warn that long-term or excessive exposure to eugenol may damage the liver and kidneys. Vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and children, are advised to be particularly cautious and to avoid combining it with certain medications, such as anticoagulants.

Reporters also found a manufacturer in Ji'an, Jiangxi province that produces eugenol. The company admitted that its raw materials are imported from Indonesia and sold under the name of food additives, but are later used by fish traders as anesthetics.

After receiving the investigative evidence, the State Administration for Market Regulation coordinated a nationwide enforcement campaign with local authorities. During the operation, officials inspected 35 vendors, seized 14 batches of additives — including eugenol — and collected samples of three unidentified liquids, 12 water samples, and 11 fish samples. Investigators also discovered industrial alcohol being used to mix anesthetic solutions in the market.