Public warned against unhygienic Kotthu

Shirley WIJESINGHE

COLOMBO: A survey conducted by the Public Health Department of the CMC revealed that most of the “Kotthu Roti” outlets in the city are run under unhygienic conditions posing a health hazard to the public.

The “Kotthu” frying plates were also not kept clean resulting in these being invaded by rats and cockroaches, CMC public Health Department Head Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam said.

Dr. Kariyawasam also said the left over dough for preparing “Kotthu” was being kept in refrigerators for long periods and recycled daily. The refrigerators too were not properly cleaned, he added.

“Most of the eggs used for making “Kotthu” cannot be identified by physical appearance but most of the time they have passed their lifespan and are not suitable for consumption.”

The low standards of personal hygiene of “Kotthu” makers was another factor. “However since the immunity threshold to infection of the public is at such a high level there are virtually no complaints about diseases,” he added.