Kinder recall: list of contaminated products, reimbursement

[Mise à jour le 22 avril 2022 à 13h02] Kinder surprise, Schoko-Bons, Egg… All Kinder chocolates produced in the Belgian factory in Arlon are withdrawn from sale France but also in other European countries because of an epidemic of salmonellosis. Ferrero, to which Kinder belongs, launched the recalls on April 5. The production plant was shut down on April 8 by the Belgian Food Agency (FASFC). As of April 19, according to the latest point published by Public Health France, 42 cases of salmonellosis have been identified in France (Ile-De-France (7 cases), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (7 cases), Grand-Est (6 cases), Hauts-de-France (4 cases), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (4 cases ), Nouvelle-Aquitaine (3 cases), Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (3 cases), Normandy (3 cases), Brittany (2 cases), Occitanie (2 cases), and Corsica (1 case)). L’Median age cases is 3 yearsand concern 22 boys and 20 girls. 32 cases were questioned by Public Health France. all report before the onset of their symptoms (which occurred between January 20 and March 23), consumption of Kinder chocolates. 13 people were hospitalized for their salmonellosis, all released since. No deaths have been reported. Public Health France is continuing its investigations with the families of reported cases. People who have consumed the Kinder concerned (see below) and who show symptoms (gastrointestinal disorders, fever within 72 hours of consumption), are invited to consult their doctor without delay by notifying him of this consumption. Ferrero indicated that “the presence of salmonella was detected on December 15, 2021 at the Arlon site”. Salmonella was detected on “a filter at the outlet of the two raw material tanks”. Production has not, however, been stopped. “the December 21, 2021the epidemic began, with a first person infected in England. the March 25, an alert has been launched at European level. the April 4, the first procedure of removal of products from the shelves and the recall of Kinder is launched by Ferrero in France, i.e. 12 days after the first UK alert“ underlined the association food watch. No need to bring the products back to stores, the reimbursement is made after contacting the brand by phone or email and in the form of shopping vouchers. And you have to be patient. On April 20, Ferrero’s consumer service told us that they had to process more than 80,000 requests made by email. What are the Kinder chocolates concerned by the risk of salmonellosis? What are the symptoms ? How to do refund ?

What is the list of Kinder not to eat?

The list of Kinder products recalled by Ferrero has been completed. All Kinder that have been produced in the Belgian factory are withdrawn from the market and recalled, regardless of their expiry date, indicates the DGCCRF :

• Kinder Surprise 20g (by one, by three, by four and by six) and 100g (Kinder Maxi)
• Kinder Schoko-Bons milk and white sachets of 125 g, 150 g, 200 g, 225 g, 300 g, 330 g, 350 g, 480 g, 500 g
• Kinder Mini Eggs, hazelnut, cocoa, milk, Kinder Mini Eggs mix
• Kinder Happy Moments: 191g, 242g, 347g and 400g.
• KinderMix : Bag 193g, Basket 150g, Plush 133g, Bucket 198g, Car 125g.
• Kinder Advent Calendar (431g, 133g, 184g, 311g, 243g, 127g)
• Cake Layer Cake 6/8 PARTS and 8/10 PARTS with Chocobons/Kinder as decoration. DLC until 04/16/2022 included, sold at Auchan (to be brought back to the point of sale).

Not affected by the recall:

• The Kinder Bueno
• The Kinder Chocolate bars
• The MAXI Kinder Surprise eggs (150g, 220g and 320g).
• The Kinder Country
• The large flame eggs sold for Easter (eggs of 220 grams).

As a precaution, some distributors preferred to withdraw all the Kinder they had put in store without distinguishing between the products listed in the manufacturer’s recall and the other Kinder on the shelves. The affected products have expiry dates of August 2022.

What to do if you have contaminated Kinder at home?

People holding these products are asked to do not consume them and throw them away. But before throwing them away: take a photo of the packaging with the product references (Best Before Date, barcode number) and email Ferrero’s address to request a refund : [email protected]. “People who have consumed the products mentioned above and who show the symptoms [de la salmonellose]are invited to consult their attending physician without delay by informing him of this consumption. In addition, in order to limit person-to-person transmission (especially in households with young children), it is recommended to wash your hands well with soap and water after going to the toilet, after changing your child, and before cooking” recommends Public Health France.

Provided with a photo of the packaging with the product references (Best Before Date, barcode number), consumers can call the phone number provided by the company to request a refund: 08 00 65 36 53 and/or thefollowing email address: [email protected]. “Our consumer service has been strengthened with several hundred people mobilized to answer all your requests and communicate to you the terms of compensation“ says Ferrero in a communicated April 8. Before asking consumers to “do not return your products to the store to avoid any confusion”. “If you have any of the products affected by the ongoing recall, we urge you not to consume it and contact us.” Reimbursement will be in the form of shopping vouchers to be used as desired on all food sections of stores in the catchment area (excluding alcohol), or on Ferrero products.

What number to call to reach Ferrero and get reimbursed?

The telephone number set up by Ferrero is 08 00 65 36 53. “Many of you contact us and we are aware of the waiting times on the helpline. We sincerely thank you for your patience and we want to assure you that each request will be dealt with.” informs the manufacturer on April 8. Affected consumers can also contact the company by email at [email protected]. A medical cell also contacts people who may have doubts about their state of health.

What should you know about salmonella?

Salmonella are bacteria responsible for salmonellosis. Salmonella infections manifested by acute gastroenteritis (diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, etc.) often accompanied by fever within 48 hours of consuming the contaminated products. These symptoms may be aggravated in young children, immunocompromised subjects, pregnant women and the elderly. In the cases more serious, this infection may progress to a septicaemic or localized form, which may require hospitalization. If in doubt, consult a doctor indicating the consumption of the chocolates concerned.

Kinder scandal: two new foodwatch revelations, Foodwatch, April 13, 2022

Recall of all Kinder products manufactured at the Arlon factory, closed by the Belgian authorities – 08/04/2022

Withdrawal-recall of Kinder brand products (Kinder surprise, Kinder surprise Maxi, Schoko-Bons and Kinder Mini Eggs) due to suspected Salmonella Typhimurium infection, Public Health France press release, April 4, 2022

Ferrero is voluntarily recalling certain batches of Kinder surprise, Schoko-bons and Mini eggs in France, Ferrero press release, April 5, 2022