The Ferrero company closed its Kinder chocolate factory in Belgium, after withdrawing some batches of its products from the market in several European countries, Argentina and the United States. “Kinder Mini Eggs”, manufactured in the Belgian countryafter detecting cases of salmonella in Europe in people who consumed these chocolates, a measure that comes a few days after Easter.
The Belgian Food Safety Agency (AFSCA) announced this Friday that it withdrew the production authorization for the Kinder chocolate factory in Arlon, which was the origin of an outbreak of salmonella, after noting that Ferrero, owner of the brand, provided “information incomplete”.
#rappeldeproduit from Ferrero: plusieurs chocolats Kinder; Kinder Surprise, Kinder Mini Eggs, Kinder Surprise Maxi and Kinder Schoko-Bons (regardless of delivery date, lot number or packaging), are sold via different points of sale in Belgium. https://t.co/m7ceJ0xKC3 pic.twitter.com/1Y03jwU1Fn
— AFSCA (@AFSCA_Conso) April 8, 2022
Salmonella is a bacterial disease that affects the intestinal system that can cause symptoms such as diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps, an infection that is usually transmitted through contaminated food or water.
“For several weeks, more than a hundred cases of salmonellosis have been identified in Europe”AFSCA said in a statement, adding that “since the end of March, a link between these poisonings and the Ferrero factory in Arlon, Belgium, has been confirmed.”
Days ago, the Italian manufacturer withdrew Kinder chocolates, manufactured by the firm Arlon in Belgium, marketed in several European countries such as France, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden and the Netherlands, suspected of being related to an outbreak of salmonellosis, to even though the bacteria were not detected in the chocolates, according to the AFP news agency.
“There are no confirmed cases in the United States to date and no other Kinder or Ferrero products are affected by this recall,” the Ferrero group said in a statement Friday.
In the case of Argentina, the company confirmed that they continue with the precautionary decision to “voluntarily withdraw” the Kinder Mini Eggs, with expiration dates between July 11 and October 21, 2022.
The company explained that it works closely with distributors and retailers in the United States and Argentina to ensure that products are no longer “available for purchase” and prioritize “food safety” and “consumer care.”
In the case of Argentina, the company ratified this Friday to Télam that through an agreement with the National Food Institute (INAL) they continue with the precautionary decision to “voluntarily withdraw” the Kinder Mini Eggs, with expiration dates between July 11 and October 21, 2022.
The Belgian health authority, which ordered the withdrawal of products from the Kinder range coming from this plant, stressed that “it will closely follow the steps undertaken by Ferrero and will not authorize the reopening of the factory until it has been able to conclude that the establishment complies with all regulations and food safety requirements.
“The investigation at Ferrero continues to urge consumers not to purchase any of the products in question,” the sources said.
Some 63 cases of salmonellosis were identified in the UK; Meanwhile, in France, 21 cases were reported, of which 15 noted that they had consumed Kinder products, which were withdrawn from the market, the French Ministry of Health reported. In this country, the withdrawal would be around the equivalent of hundreds of tons of chocolates.
