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Monday December 17, 10:17 PMPrimaDeli may have to remain closed for at least another weekSINGAPORE: According to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), the Prima Food factory at Keppel Road may have to remain closed for at least another week.On Monday morning, six AVA officers took 75 swabs from the factory at the request of Prima Food, following a food poisoning outbreak which affected over 150 people who consumed PrimaDeli products. The swabs, which are taken from food-contact surfaces such as countertops and utensils, will be tested for bacteria levels and salmonella enteritidis, a bacterium which causes food poisoning. At AVA's microbiological laboratory, each sample is divided onto nine test plates, which are then incubated at temperatures between 35 and 44.5 degrees Celsius to test for different bacteria. AVA said a bacteria count of 100 per sample is considered normal. At another lab, samples are incubated with an enrichment solution before undergoing DNA tests to check for salmonella. AVA's deputy director of veterinary public health Dr Paul Chew said, "AVA will only consider granting approval for the factory to resume operations on the condition that the laboratory investigation of the swabs reveals absence of salmonella, and that hygiene indicator levels are satisfactory and comply with AVA's requirements." But even if the lab results are satisfactory, PrimaDeli may not be able to resume operations just yet. AVA still needs to audit the factory's Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan, which it said would take at least a week, to ensure that measures are in place to avoid a similar outbreak. - CNA/ac |
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