The Consumer Affairs Authority’s (CAA) General Workers’ Association has urged the public to exercise caution when purchasing chicken due to the increased risk of contamination from recent floods.
Association General Secretary Ajith Jayasundara informed the Daily Mirror that many poultry farms have been submerged, resulting in numerous bird deaths. “Floodwater can carry viruses like rat fever. These birds could have been infected by these viruses due to the floods. Additionally, many birds on poultry farms die from bacterial spread, which may have been carried into the floodwaters,” he explained.
Jayasundara mentioned that CAA raids on several chicken-selling stalls uncovered chickens that had died due to the floods. “In poultry farms, chicken typically has white skin after being prepared, with heads removed and blood drained. However, chicken with reddish skin might indicate it was purchased after the floods,” he stated.
He noted that such red-coloured chicken had been observed in certain supermarkets and retail shops in flood-affected areas. Furthermore, he alleged that various animals were being sent for processing into meatballs and sausages. The Association is urging the CAA to promptly conduct raids on meat stalls.
