PRIMA Food, the parent company of PrimaDeli, was fined the maximum of $5,000 on Friday for selling contaminated food.

A representative of the company, Mr Kenneth Chew, pleaded guilty to having hazelnut paste containing the salmonella enteritidis bacteria at its Keppel Road premises last Nov 30.

The hazelnut paste was used to make its chocolate cakes sold in its 38 outlets.

Screenings done by the Health Ministry showed that 14 food handlers from the factory and some of the outlets tested positive for the salmonella bug.

The court heard that Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority inspected the factory, collected samples from the ingredients used to make cakes and sent them for laboratory analysis.

Three samples were found positive for salmonella enteriditis, which causes symptoms such as fever, vomiting and abdominal pains.

AVA prosecutor Hoi Min Fah asked the court to impose the maximum fine on the company, saying that it has the duty to ensure that food products made are wholesome and fit to eat.

He said the the salmonella bug has been reported to cause massive food poisoning, and in some severe cases resulting in death.

Pleading for leniency, Mr Chew told District Judge Sarjit Singh that since it started 14 years ago, the company had never failed to get an A rating for high standard of hygiene, sanitation and food manufacturing processes.

When the problem came to light, the company took full responsibility and apologised to all those who came down with food poisoning.

Immediate steps were taken to contain the contamination.

More than $1 million had been paid to its franchisees incluidng more than $200,000 to consumers.

The company's insurers are still processing some claims. Deputy general manager of Prima Food Pansy Wong who was in court said since reopening of its outlets in January, business had returned to normal.

'It was very encouraging,' she said.