Food samples taken from a restaurant in Bahrain have tested positive for salmonella, it was revealed.

The Health Ministry has released initial results of lab tests following an investigation into an outbreak of food poisoning, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Food control and diseases control section inspectors collected samples from restaurant food and swabs from staff in the aftermath of the food poisoning.

Food control inspectors shut down the main restaurant, which is suspected of causing the food poisoning, as well as two affiliated branches.

The staff have been suspended from work, administered proper medication and given health tips to avert any future incidence of poisoning.

In another precautionary measure, the stocks of food suspected of being infected with salmonellosis bacteria have also been destroyed.

The ministry said yesterday that the restaurant and branches would remain closed until health requirements are met.

The inspectors found serious irregularities in storing food at the temporary restaurant branch located at the Autumn Fair.

"Improper food storage conditions at the branch were found in breach of international norms provided a fertile environment for salmonellosis bacteria to reproduce, causing the poisoning which broke out recently," the ministry said.

It pledged to continue taking necessary measures to protect public health, announcing that final results would be released once the probe is completed. - TradeArabia News Service