Chocolate manufacturer Ferrero has already discovered a salmonella contamination on 15 December at its location in Arlon, Belgium. It was on a filter of tanks with raw materials for the chocolate products, according to a press release.
After that discovery, Ferrero decided not to supply the materials and chocolate products that were in the factory at the time. The filter containing the contamination was also removed and control of the end products has been “increased”, according to Ferrero.
But the Italian company does not answer the question of how it is possible that dozens of people throughout Europe have contracted a salmonella infection after eating chocolate from the Belgian factory. The matter is still under investigation, Ferrero said. The manufacturer is collaborating with food and commodity authorities for this investigation.
Also delivered in the Netherlands
Yesterday Ferrero . called out of precaution various chocolate products, such as the well-known Kinder surprises, have returned due to more than a hundred reports of salmonella infections. Those infections may be related to the chocolate from the Arlon factory, but that is still under investigation.
According to the European health service ECDC, there are a total of 134 reports, mainly of young children, who have become infected with the bacteria. The first report was on January 7 in the United Kingdom, less than a month after the bacterium was discovered in Arlon.
The Ferrero products concerned were also delivered in the Netherlands. Supervisor NVWA therefore warns consumers not to eat them. The NVWA also ensures that the products are removed from the shelves of supermarkets. In the Netherlands, two children have been infected with the bacteria so far.
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