A Cheshire bakery under investigation over an outbreak of salmonella in which an elderly man died, says no traces of the bug have been found on its premises.

The unusual strain of salmonella, enteritidis PT 14b, has been blamed for making more than 150 people in London and Cheshire ill since early September.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said it believed the source for the outbreaks could have been Chatwins Bakery in Nantwich, Cheshire, and Patisserie Madeira, in Lambeth, south London.

But it said investigations into the source of the bug were continuing.

'Negative tests'

The infection causes diarrhoea, vomiting and fever.

The FSA said the Cheshire bakery had been using ordinary eggs in products that were not cooked, but had now stopped this practice.

However, the head of the 80-year-old family business, which has 18 shops and four coffee lounges in Cheshire and Staffordshire, denied any traces of salmonella had been found on the premises.

Edward Chatwin said: "The environmental health office has carried out tests in a number of manufacturers' and retailers' premises, including ours.

Pastuerised eggs

"All tests carried out in our premises have proved negative.

"We are continuing to work with the EHO and are following every precaution, including only using pasteurised eggs, to ensure that all our products reach the high standards our customers have grown to expect."

The Patisserie Madeira in Lambeth, is also being investigated by the FSA.

'Human risk'

Managing director Joe Lewis said: "We're still working very closely with the FSA and so we are not able to comment until we have spoken to them."

Both businesses supplied products to a number of outlets in their region.

Dr Roger Skinner, head of the FSA's microbiological safety division, said: "Food businesses need to remember that they should use pasteurised egg in their raw or lightly cooked products.

Chickens slaughtered

"They could be putting people at risk if they do not follow that advice.

"It is important to remember that the salmonella bug can be easily killed if eggs are properly cooked before use."

In 1989, the link between eggs and salmonella poisoning was proved and two million chickens were slaughtered.