The owner of a bakery linked to more than a dozen cases of salmonella poisoning has boldly opened his doors again with the rallying support of loyal customers.
Nathan Assender, who operates Gawler South Bakery in north Adelaide, made an emotional apology after chicken from his shop infected 17 people and hospitalised three over the Christmas period.
Despite the disastrous salmonella outbreak, Mr Assender has re-opened the bakery in an last-ditch effort to save the 50-year-old business from shutting down.
Nathan Assender, (pictured) who operates Gawler South Bakery in north Adelaide, made an emotional apology after chicken from his shop infected 17 people and hospitalised three over the Christmas period
Despite the disastrous salmonella outbreak, Mr Assender has re-opened the bakery (Pictured) in an last-ditch effort to save the 50-year-old business from shutting down
‘Everybody here’s really distressed about the whole situation. We’re still unclear where it’s come from and how this has happened,’ Mr Assender told 7 News.
The business owner has pleaded with his former customers to put their faith in his bakery produce and said he is worried about the fate of his 40 employees.
‘Hopefully the community get behind us and we can keep the 40 people we employ in jobs and keep our doors open.’
However it appears most of Mr Assender’s customers are unperturbed by the salmonella breakout.
However it appears most of Mr Assender’s customers are unperturbed by the salmonella breakout
‘It’s a family business and you hope for the best for them, it’s an unfortunate thing to happen,’ one man told the publication.
South Australia Health believes chicken served from Gawler South Bakery’s sandwich bar caused 17 cases of salmonella poisoning between December 14 and 22.
One mother took to Facebook to slam the store, claiming she and two of her kids spent Christmas in bed suffering from salmonella.
‘I couldn’t get out of bed to enjoy my kids opening their presents,’ she wrote.
The number of salmonella cases originating from the popular bakery is expected to grow.
It is the second time in 12 months the Adelaide business has been investigated.
‘It’s a family business and you hope for the best for them, it’s an unfortunate thing to happen,’ one man said
Chicken sandwiches and wraps from Gawler South Bakery have been linked to 17 confirmed cases of salmonella poisoning in the past fortnight
Gawler South Bakery apologised for the disaster online.
‘It has come to our attention that a number of people have fallen ill with Salmonella poisoning after consuming fresh roast chicken meals from our bakery recently,’ they wrote.
‘It is with sincere compassion and genuine sorrow that we apologise to all the people and their families affected by this. ‘
SA Health’s public health director Dr Kevin Buckett was concerned by the outbreak given how sick the illness makes people.
Gawler South Bakery apologised for the disaster online, explaining they had voluntarily shut down their salad bar and stopped serving fresh roast chicken meals
‘Three patients have been so severely ill they needed to be hospitalised,’ he said.
Dr Buckett urged all food handlers and restaurants to be mindful of food safety during this busy and warm time of year.
‘Like most food-borne illness, (salmonella) is preventable through good hygiene and food handling practices.’
He advised food handlers to chill food quickly, keep it cool until it’s eaten, and separate raw food from cooked and ready-to-eat items.
Salmonella symptoms include fever, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhoea.