The salmonella outbreak linked to Kinderägg chocolate sold in several countries is growing. More than 300 cases are now reported, the majority of which are children, according to the EU’s infection control authority ECDC.
In early April, Kinder manufacturer Ferrero alerted about a salmonella outbreak linked to their products from the Belgian factory, when 125 people in various countries, including Sweden, were suspected of being infected with the bacterium. The factory was forced to close on April 8, and at the end of the month even more Kinderägg products were recalled, according to the Swedish National Food Administration.
Since then, the outbreak has grown and now 266 people have been diagnosed with salmonella and a further 58 cases are likely to be linked to the outbreak, according to a press release from the ECDC. The majority of the affected countries are in Europe, but cases have also been found in Canada and the United States.
86.3 percent of all victims are under ten years, just over 40 percent of them have been forced into hospital care. No deaths have been reported.
According to the infection control authority, there are also eight people who have been infected with salmonella where no connection to the Belgian factory has been found, which means that there may be another source of infection.
The products recalled by the manufacturer Ferrero are:
Kinder surprise 20 grams and Kinder surprise 20 grams in three packs with the best before date between 26 June 2022 and 7 October 2022.
Cheeks mini-eggs with best before date 21 August 2022.
Kinder surprise maxi 100 grams with best before dates 20 April 2022 and 21 August 2022.
Kinder schokobons with best before date between 25 May 2022 and 19 August 2022.