The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Public Employees Union has urged people to be careful while buying chicken from the market as there is a high risk of chicken contamination due to the recent floods.
Ajith Jayasundara, the general secretary of the association, says that many chicken farms have been flooded and as a result many chickens have died.
“Flood water can carry various viruses such as rat flu. Chickens in farms can be infected with these viruses due to floods. In addition, a significant number of chickens in poultry farms often die due to the spread of bacteria. In addition, a significant number of chickens have died due to floods. ” he explained.
The Consumer Authority (CAA) raided several places where chicken was sold and found dead chickens due to flood, he said.
“In poultry farms, chicken meat usually shows a white skin color after processing. The condition is caused by removing the heads and bleeding. However, chicken meat with red skin color was observed in the market after the flood,” he said.
Ajith Jayasundara said that his association has observed such red colored chicken meat in some supermarkets and retail shops located in flood-affected areas.