Homegrown bakery chain Prima Deli has been given the all clear, following checks by AVA which showed that the factory has been satisfactorily disinfected and cleaned.

The bakery's factory had shut down on Dec 4, 2007 after 204 people fell ill with salmonella poisoning after eating its cakes. A total of six factory food handlers and multiple food samples were found to be positive for Salmonella Enteritidis. Food samples also showed high bacterial and faecal coliform counts which were indicative of poor food hygiene practices.

In addition to the six factory food handlers, six food handlers in Prima Deli outlets also tested positive for Salmonella. Cake samples from various outlets tested positive for the Salmonella bacteria and had high bacterial counts. It is uncertain at which stage the cakes were contaminated.

The factory premises and bakery outlets have since been subject to a massive cleaning and disinfection exercise conducted by Prima management. Foodhandlers who tested positive for Salmonella are disallowed from engaging in the preparation of food until certified free of the infection. They will be re-tested and can only return to work when the results are negative.

The bakery will resume factory operations in two supervised stages. It will be allowed to produce food products that undergo high heat treatment such as baked products. If there is no operational hygiene deficiency, full factory operation may be resumed.

The bakery will also implement an improved quality control programme and recall procedure, and will continue to consult AVA on further improvements.

AVA also advises the public to maintain good hygiene practices, such as washing one's hands thoroughly with soap and water frequently, especially after toilet visits, changing diapers and before eating or preparing food.