The European Food Safety Authority and the European Centers for Disease Prevention and Control said in a joint statement: “150 confirmed and probable cases of salmonellosis were reported as of 8 April 2022.”
Both agencies indicated that “products made from chocolate produced by the company in a Belgian manufacturing factory have been identified as the source of the salmonella epidemic,” without mentioning the name of the Italian giant group.
The statement said the injuries “mainly occurred to children under the age of ten” and were reported in nine European countries, namely Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, the Netherlands and Sweden.
Salmonella bacteria sometimes cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, intestinal cramps, mild fever, and even vomiting. No deaths have been reported.
European experts point to the need for more research to “determine the exact source and exact moment of infection”, as well as to study the wider use of raw materials that cause damage to other factory. ”
The Belgian judiciary launched an investigation on Monday to determine possible liability within the Arlon factory, whose license was revoked by the Belgian Food Safety Authority on Friday due to a lack of transparency in the case.
Despite higher hygiene and sanitation measures, salmonella -contaminated chocolates are circulating in Europe and the United States, led by Ferrero on Friday to acknowledge the presence of “internal holes”.
Once the connection between Kinder products and salmonella contamination was identified at the end of March, following the actions of the British authorities in this context, some of these products were seized in several countries in Europe and the United States. .
Ferrero noted that recall measures apply to all products made at the Arlon plant, regardless of batch number or expiration date.
