SINGAPORE : More people have been affected by food poisoning after consuming items from PrimaDeli.

In the latest update, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said that the number of cases has jumped to 143.

11 of them had to be hospitalised but all have been discharged, except one.

Four more food handlers at the PrimaDeli factory have also tested positive for Salmonella Enteritidis, the bacteria that causes food poisoning. This brings the total to six.

In a statement, PrimaDeli said the two staff who earlier tested positive for Salmonella are receiving appropriate medical treatment.

One food handler in a PrimaDeli outlet has also tested positive for the bacteria.

AVA said another semi-processed product found at the now-closed Prima Food factory has tested positive for the bacteria.

Initial testing of food samples taken from the factory had shown that the hazelnut paste tested positive.

PrimaDeli's chocolate cream also tested positive for the bacteria.

Salmonella is a group of bacteria that can cause symptoms such as fever, diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

AVA is still investigating and the factory remains closed following a food poisoning outbreak.

In another development, PrimaDeli said it will look into compensation for customers who had food poisoning. It also added that it will attend to compensation matters to its franchisees that are affected by the temporary closure of its retail outlets.

At least 40 PrimaDeli retail outlets islandwide are undergoing a major cleanup.

Jordon Cheang, who manages three PrimaDeli outlets in Ang Mo Kio, Jurong West and Lau Pa Sat, estimates that he will suffer a loss of some S$30,000 over six days of closure.

"PrimaDeli has explained to us what happened and the corrective measures that they are going to undertake. They are working very closely with the MOH (Ministry of Health) and AVA to investigate what caused the bacteria and how to improve the corrective measures," said Cheang.

"If we're still not able to resume business by next week, ... PrimaDeli's management has assured us that they will provide adequate compensation. But the current priority is to work with the AVA and MOH to make sure that they can address this hygiene issue and to resume production as soon as possible," he added.

In a written reply to Channel NewsAsia's queries, PrimaDeli said its factory should be thoroughly disinfected by early next week.

It added that this is just one of the processes, and the company is still working closely with the authorities to make sure that all its production procedures are in good shape before it can get the green light to operate again. - CNA /ls