Buitoni scandal: the production of pizzas banned in the North

[Mise à jour le 6 avril 2022 à 11h30] The Buitoni factory in Caudry (North) is no longer allowed to produce pizzas. On Wednesday April 6, the prefect of the North decided toban the production of pizza on this site : “The industrial activity of food production, with regard to the two pizza production lines of the factory” of Caudry is “arrested”, details a prefectural decree issued on April 1 and consulted by AFP. Two hygiene inspections took place on the site on March 22 and 29 after the link confirmed by the French health authorities between the consumption of Buitoni frozen pizzas manufactured in Caudry and the occurrence of a severe food poisoning quarantine in children, two of whom died. In question, the presence of the E.coli bacteria in these pizzas. These inspections “have highlighted a degraded level of food hygiene control in the Caudry factory, which justified the issuance of an order cessation of activities industrial production in the factory“said the prefecture to AFP. Nestle (to which Buitoni belongs) had nevertheless indicated that the samples taken on the production line were “all negative” according to Pierre-Alexandre Teulié, general manager of communication for Nestlé France.

RMC had unveiled factory shock images Buitoni de Caudry. It was a former factory employee who sent these images showing deplorable hygiene conditions: “When we see mushrooms on the wall, we know it’s not right. The paint on the metal bars was peeling off. There were scraps of food that remained in certain places for several days, Several weeks. In sauce catch-up tubs, you could find cigarette butts. Where the flour is sent to the mats, so that the dough does not stick, there were mealworms.” he told our colleagues. 16 families have decided to file a complaint against Buitoni for “unintentional injuries” informs The Sunday Journal April 3. What are the pizzas concerned? What to do if we have any at home? Can we be refunded ? What is the E.coli bacteria?

What is the Buitoni Food Scandal?

The Buitoni brand is at the heart of a food scandal. In question, a link confirmed by the French health authorities between their frozen pizzas from the Fraîch’Up range and serious cases of food poisoning in children having led (to date) to two deaths and the hospitalization of several children. The facts start in January 2022. Several cases of pediatric hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and severe Escherichia coli infection are being reported to health authorities.

► February 24, the Ministry of Health reports 13 cases of HUS in children, related to Escherichia coli bacteria with similar characteristics. These cases occurred in 5 regions of metropolitan France. the first death is announced. The Buitoni brand is not yet mentioned. Several sources of contamination are being investigated, including the ingestion of contaminated food eaten raw or undercooked.

► March 11, in a new point of situation, the ministry confirms 26 cases identified from SHU with the same characteristics as those of February (13 more). These cases occurred in 9 French regions. One second child death is confirmed. No source of contamination has yet been incriminated.

► March 17a new case of HUS is confirmed bringing the number of total similar cases to 27 cases.

► March 18, Buitoni recalls all its Fraîch’Up frozen pizzas “after being informed of the presence of E-coli bacteria in the dough of a frozen pizza” of this range. “The epidemiological, microbiological and traceability analyzes carried out suggestat this point, a possible link with the consumption of frozen pizzas from the Fraîch’Up range of the Buitoni brand” specify the Ministry of Health.

► March 22 and 29: two hygiene inspections take place in the Caudry factory by the Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Populations (DDPP) in the North and the General Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention (DGCCRF),

“When you see mushrooms on the wall, you know it’s not okay”

► March 30, Public Health France “confirm a link between several cases and the consumption of frozen pizzas from the Fraîch’Up range of the Buitoni brand contaminated with Escherichia coli bacteria that produce Shiga-toxins”. 41 cases of HUS are identified, i.e. 14 more cases compared to the last update on March 17. These cases occurred in 12 metropolitan areas.

► March 31, RMC unveils shocking images of the Buitoni factory of Caudry in the north of France where the pizzas of the Fraîch’Up range are produced. It was a former factory employee who sent these images showing deplorable hygienic conditions: “When you see fungus on the wall, you know it’s wrong. The paint on the metal bars was peeling off. There were scraps of food that remained in certain places for several days, Several weeks. In sauce recovery bins, you could find cigarette butts. Where the flour is sent to the mats, so that the dough does not stick, there were mealworms.” he told our colleagues. Buitoni (Nestlé group) admitted that these photos were indeed taken in the factory but that it is not “never so dirty” usually. Nestlé has confirmed that the tests it carries out itself in its Caudry factory are negativethe health authorities are continuing their investigations.

► April 6, the Nord prefecture publishes a decree prohibiting the production of pizzas in the Caudry factory.

What are the recalled Buitoni pizzas?

Buitoni recalls all pizzas from the Fraîch’Up range, branded Buitonimarketed. For example :

• Fresh’Up 4 cheeses
• Fresh’Up Royale
• Fresh’Up Chicken
• Fresh’Up Bolognese
• Fraîch’Up White Queen
• Fraîch’Up 3 meats

The authorities are asking people who hold Buitoni brand Fraîch’Up pizzas not to eat them (even after cooking) and to destroy them. Each household is invited to ensure that its freezer does not contain any. It is also recommended for people holding frozen pizzas in their freezer that have been separated from their box, and whose range and brand cannot be formally identified or clearly known, not to consume them and destroy them. Beyond the checks, if consumers notice that Fraîch’Up pizzas of the Buitoni brand are still marketed, they are invited to make a report on the platform. SignalConso.

How many deaths are recorded in the Buitoni scandal?

According to Public Health France, as of March 30, two children died. The cause is hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). It’s about a infectious complication most often of food origin rare in France but serious. We talk about a syndromeHemolytic” because it means that there is “a destruction of red blood cells” (responsible for anemia and a drop in platelets) and “uremic“because there isblood urea. Urea is a waste product from the body eliminated by the kidneys in the urine. Increased blood urea and other waste products such as creatinine indicate kidney failure.

What is the E.coli bacteria present in Buitoni pizzas?

Escherichia Coli or “E.coli” is a bacteria found in the gut of humans and some animals especially ruminants. Useful, it prevents other bacteria from colonizing the intestinal flora and causing disease. When they are in the intestine, the majority of its strains are harmless and cause no symptoms. Some, however, are pathogens. Eliminated through the feces of animals, they can contaminate the environment (water, manure, soil) and foods. They tolerate the cold well (survival of several days in a refrigerator) but normally not cooking.

What signs should alert you after eating Buitoni pizzas?

The authorities point out that after consuming the products concerned by the recall, it is important to quickly consult a doctor by reporting this consumption if:

• within 10 days (or less), people develop symptoms diarrhoea, abdominal pain or vomiting;
• within 15 days the persons show signs of great fatigue, pallor, a decrease in the volume of urine, which becomes darker.

In the absence of symptoms within 15 days of consumption, it is also reminded that there is no need to worry.

Provided with a photo of the packaging with the product references (Best Before Date, bar code number, batch number, production time), consumers can call the telephone number provided by the company to get a refund: 0800 22 32 42.

Sources:

Serious cases of haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in children: new cases reported, health authorities remind you of what to do. March 30, 2022. Public Health France.

Ministry of Health press releases.