A Kahuku seaweed farm has been cleared by the state Department of Health after being shut down from salmonella contamination.

Marine Agrifuture LLC (Olakai Farm), had been ordered to stop sellilng and distributing its fresh seaweeds — “Kahuku Ogo,” “Robusta Ogo” and “Kahuku Sea Asparagus.” The health department said tests had revealed salmonella bacteria in saltwater in packing and processing tanks at the Kahuku farm.

There had been 14 cases of salmonella on Oahu linked to eating poke prepared with raw fish and limu (seaweed) from the seaweed farm. The salmonella cases involved children and adults, who developed diarrheal illness from mid- to late October. Four cases required hospitalization.

“This morning, the company was notified it may resume the sale and distribution of Kahuku Ogo, Robusta Ogo and Sea Asparagus food products harvested at the Kahuku farm,” the health department said in a press release, indicating testing on Nov. 29 showed no presence of salmonella at the farm. “The wells, all inlets to production ponds, and the growing and rinse tanks were also free from Salmonella and levels of indicator organisms (Enterococci and Clostridium perfringens) that would signal possible environmental contamination,” the release said.

“Based on lab test results and visual confirmation by health inspectors of the thorough cleaning and improvements made to several critical components of the farm’s physical infrastructure, the department is satisfied that all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the safety of Marine Agrifuture’a food products,” said Peter Oshiro, Food Safety Program manager. “The department will continue to work with the farm on measures to prevent any future contamination of products.”