It was revealed that Salmonella bacteria, which was detected in 8 different countries in Europe, in Kinder Surprise and other products of chocolate manufacturer Ferrero, was first encountered in the factory in Arlon, Belgium on December 15.
According to a statement from Ferrero, the bacteria was detected in a tank filter containing raw materials for chocolate products.
The filter containing bacteria was then removed. At that time, the supply of the materials and chocolate products in the factory was also stopped.
However, the Italy-based chocolate producer could not answer the question of how many people in 8 different European countries got salmonella infection after eating products produced in Belgium.
The company stated that the matter is still under investigation.
Ferro; Many countries, including the UK, Netherlands and Belgium, have recalled products containing suspected salmonella.
According to the European Agency for Disease Prevention and Evaluation (ECDC), a total of 134 people, mostly young children, were contacted to be infected with salmonella bacteria.
The first application regarding the bacterium detected in Arlon on 15 January was made in England on 7 January.
The Belgian Federal Food Safety Agency (FAVV) has stepped up checks.
According to the agency, food companies are required to inspect samples as part of routine automated checks. Ferrero found the salmonella bacteria during such an internal control on December 15, but did not inform FAVV about it.
Ferrero Spokesperson told VTM channel, “We did not inform the authorities because this remained an internal problem. Neither a single product produced that day nor five days ago left our warehouses.”
So far, 63 possible infections have been detected in the UK, 20 in France, 10 in Ireland, 4 in Germany, 4 in Sweden, 2 in the Netherlands, 1 each in Norway and Luxembourg, and 26 in Belgium. .
The products that the company has collected from the shelves under suspicion of Salmonella are:
- Kinder Surprise (all packages)
- Kinder Schokobons
- Kinder Schokobons WHITE
- Kinder Happy Moments
- Kinder Mix Advent Calendar
- Kinder Mix Peluche
- Kinder Surprise Maxi