Recently, CCTV Finance reported that several seafood markets in Chongqing, Linyi, Shandong, and Suzhou, Anhui have secrets of using substances such as eugenol, industrial alcohol, and methyl salt to put live fish to sleep. On the evening of March 22, the Chongqing Municipal Administration for Market Regulation announced that in the early morning of March 17, a full coverage surprise law enforcement was carried out on the seafood wholesale market involved. Some fish sedative substances stored by some operators were seized on site, and no industrial alcohol was found. Control measures have been taken for all related products involved. The so-called 'hibernation' of live fish refers to the use of tranquilizers, anesthetics, and other 'anesthetics' by vendors during the transportation of live fish. The main purpose is to reduce stress damage to live fish during transportation, prevent scale loss, maintain the good appearance of live fish, and avoid unnecessary losses. Taking the mainstream fish "anesthetic" eugenol and MS-222 anesthetic in the market as examples, it is medically believed that long-term and excessive use of eugenol can damage the liver and kidneys of humans, while MS-222 anesthetic has irritating effects on the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin. At present, many fish use "anesthetics" on the market are "three no products", and the source and quality are difficult to guarantee. In addition, the arbitrary use of "anesthetics" by vendors can further amplify the residual effects of "anesthetics". Since there are health and safety hazards associated with using "anesthetics" for fish, why can they still occupy a considerable living space in the market, and even become a "hidden rule" in the live fish transportation industry? The core of the problem lies in the lack of a timely and effective "response mechanism" for the rules, standards, and regulatory system of using "anesthetics" for fish. At present, China has not conducted a systematic evaluation of the safety of anesthetics such as eugenol and MS-222 for use in live aquatic products. These two substances are neither on the whitelist allowed for aquaculture nor on the banned blacklist, and belong to the "gray area" of regulation. The relevant departments have not yet formulated clear food safety standards for these two substances, nor have they specified specific requirements for dosage and residue limits, resulting in a lack of basis for supervision. Some seafood market managers turn a blind eye to the use of "anesthetics" and even industrial alcohol in fish, without taking any intervention measures, which keeps them outside effective supervision. Live fish are 'anesthetized', regulation cannot 'sleep', and consumer rights cannot be 'ignored'. In response to the issue of using "anesthetics" for fish, we should not only focus on emergency, regional, and case specific measures after media exposure, but also establish a comprehensive and systematic long-term response mechanism. The urgent task is for relevant departments to accelerate the research and development of food safety standards and management rules for "anesthetics" used in fish based on sufficient research and extensive solicitation of opinions from all parties: clearly define the "white list" and "black list" of anesthetics used in fish, and clearly define which substances can be used for anesthetizing live fish and other aquatic products, and which belong to the category of absolute prohibition; Refine the quality requirements, scope of application, dosage limits, and residue limits for the permitted use of fish anesthetics; At the same time, clarify the responsible parties for detection and the corresponding legal responsibilities for illegal additions by market entities, providing clear basis for supervision. After the implementation of the standard, regulatory authorities need to include fish use "anesthetics" in the regular testing system, develop a scientific and comprehensive testing plan, clarify the testing process, coverage categories, and frequency. Through various forms such as regular sampling, key inspections during holidays, and targeted testing for complaints and reports, we aim to comprehensively improve the coverage and accuracy of testing. Once the excessive use of banned substances such as "anesthetics" for fish or illegal addition of industrial alcohol is discovered, strict investigation and punishment will be carried out in accordance with the law, and typical cases will be exposed to make illegal businesses pay a heavy price. The regulatory punishment, deterrence, and warning effects will be released, forcing market entities to enhance their self-discipline, abide by the bottom line of food safety, and effectively build a protective wall for consumer rights. Food safety is more important than anything else, and consumers' food safety needs should be ranked higher or higher in value than merchants' transportation convenience needs. The relevant departments need to prioritize and core the goal of ensuring consumer food safety, while also taking into account the "stable" transportation needs of businesses for live fish and other aquatic products. Accelerate the establishment and improvement of safety standards for "anesthetics" used in fish, strengthen regulatory measures, consolidate regulatory responsibilities, and strictly control the use of "anesthetics" used in fish within a safe range through clear and effective supervision. This not only safeguards table safety but also promotes the standardized development of the aquatic product transportation industry. (New Society)