The "roti benggali" (benggali bread) manufacturers in Penang are claiming that their sales have plunged drastically after a news report alleged that workers in a Bayan Baru bakery used their feet to knead dough.

The Penang Roti Benggali Sellers Association president P. Manogaran said there were only two factories and a bakery which produced the bread in the state, namely Maliia Bakery, Jalan Transfer; Uni Bakery, Air Itam and Patchee Bakery at Jalan Dato Keramat.

"The 150 vendors registered with the association have been getting their bread from the same three suppliers for more than 35 years. They use modern techniques and their level of hygiene and quality are high. I invite the public to come see for themselves," he told a press conference, here today.

He said since the news appeared on Kosmo! and was spread on the internet the past two days, the sale of bread dipped by more than 50 percent.

Meanwhile, Maliia Bakery (M) Sdn Bhd partner Datuk Mariadas Gopal said one of his branches in Butterworth had to stop production for two days due to no sales.

On Wednesday, the Penang Health Department held a press conference on the closure of 12 food premises including a bakery for failure to comply with hygiene rules.