Prima Deli chocolate cakes likely cause of food poisoning
By Hasnita A Majid, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 03 December 2007 2259 hrs

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SINGAPORE: If you've bought chocolate cakes from bakery chain Prima Deli, you should throw them away.

The advice comes from the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA).

The two agencies say these cakes are likely to contain a bacteria called Salmonella Enteriditis, which has caused some people to get food poisoning.

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

106 people have so far reported getting food poisoning after eating the cakes. Six had to be hospitalised, but have since been discharged. They tested positive for Salmonella Enteritidis.

The onset of illness for the last case was on 26 November. The effects are felt usually six to 72 hours after eating contaminated food.

The MOH was first notified of a food poisoning incident on 23 November. As more cases of food poisoning were reported, investigations showed that the common food item in the various incidents were Prima Deli chocolate cakes bought as early as 19 November.

The MOH and AVA conducted joint inspections of Prima Food Pte Ltd, which produces chocolate cakes for all Prima Deli retail outlets. Food and environmental samples were taken for laboratory analysis.

Preliminary results suggest Salmonella is the likely culprit. Prima Food has been told to stop the production of all chocolate cakes and to recall all these cakes from distribution and sale.

Meanwhile, food handlers are being screened and investigations are being conducted to determine the source of the contamination.

The MOH said illnesses from Salmonella poisoning usually last four to seven days and most patients recover with no long-term health effects. Severe cases may require hospitalisation for re-hydration and/or antibiotic treatment.

Anyone with symptoms after consuming these cakes should seek immediate medical attention.

For enquiries, you can contact the MOH at 1800-2254122 or the AVA at 1800-2262250. For further information on Salmonellosis, you can visit MOH's website at www.moh.gov.sg. - CNA/ir