A few days before Easter, one of the most lucrative holidays for chocolate manufacturers, the Italian group Ferrero announced the voluntary recall of some of its products made in Belgium due to suspected salmonella.
Are concerned by these recalls the batches of Kinder Surprise 20g (by one, by three, by four and by six) and 100g with expiry dates between the end of June 2022 and the end of October 2022, batches of Kinder Schoko-Bons with expiry dates between the end of April and the end of August 2022, the batches of Kinder Mini Eggs with expiry dates between the end of April and the end of August and finally the Kinder Happy Moments, Kinder Mix: 193g, Basket 150g, Plush 133g, Bucket 198g, with expiry dates at the end of August 2022 .
In its press release, the company stresses: “None of our Kinder products placed on the French market has tested positive for salmonella, we have not received any complaints from consumers.”
A precautionary measure
Ferrero is thus issuing this recall voluntarily and as a precaution. It also indicates that it works in close collaboration with the public authorities and in particular the Directorate General for Competition, Consumption and the Repression of Fraud (DGCCRF). “We take this matter very seriously, as consumer protection is our top priority,” continues Ferrero in his statement.
The brand advises holders of these products not to consume them and to contact its support team on 08 00 65 36 53 or by mail at the address [email protected].
In Belgium, where confectionery is made, the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (AFSCA) called on Monday not to consume these products because of the discovery of a “series of outbreaks of salmonella declared in different Member States”.
Several symptoms in case of contamination
According to the Institut Pasteur, contamination with salmonella can lead to various pathologies in humans, in particular gastroenteritis, typhoid and paratyphoid fevers.
The incubation period of the bacteria can last between one and three weeks. The infection is accompanied by many symptoms including high fever, loss of appetite, migraines but also abdominal pain and intestinal upset.
A period of several weeks of convalescence is necessary for a total remission. However, in 10% of cases, if the infection is not treated properly, it can lead to death.