Copyright: picture alliance / dpa / PA Wire
Ferrero has recalled chocolate products across Europe — including baby chocolate, baby chocolate cake and baby surprise eggs — due to the risk of salmonella infection. EXPRESS.de has the full list of products you should avoid right now.
The bitter news came just before Easter: Ferrero had to remember several chocolate products for children. According to European Union authorities, a salmonella outbreak surrounding Ferrero chocolate may be linked to the processing of milk at the affected factory in Belgium.
During examinations for the plant operator in Arlon, salmonella typhimurium bacteria were discovered in a yoghurt tank as early as December 2021, the European Union health authority ECDC announced in its ongoing investigation.
Salmonella danger from Ferrero chocolate products: children get sick too
The company implemented hygiene measures and increased sampling, product testing and processing environment. After negative salmonella tests, chocolate products were sold throughout Europe and all over the world.
The European Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the European Union’s Food Safety Authority, in a joint assessment of the outbreak, wrote that by Friday last week, 119 cases had been confirmed and 31 suspected cases had been registered in a total of ten European countries, including Germany. The first positive sample was taken in Great Britain on December 21, 2021, when an increase in cases was reported in mid-February.
Most of the injured are children under the age of 10, and many have been hospitalized. The situation will continue to be closely monitored, wrote the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Financial Supervisory Authority. Further investigations are needed in the plant to determine the root cause, timing and possible factors behind the contamination.
Salmonella in Ferrero: investigations by the prosecutor
“Since these were initially isolated cases, it made sense for Ferrero not to make the events public,” business expert Thomas Roeep from the Bonn-Rhein-Sage University of Applied Sciences told the German Liberation Network (RND).
“At the latest, after the Belgian Public Prosecutor’s Office has started investigations and shut down a factory, it is time to change the communication strategy,” Roep stressed. “Otherwise, there is a risk that social networks will take over the interpretation of such incidents.” Then the company can react only through “salami tactics”. Then there will be massive damage to the image, according to the expert.
Ferrero chocolate products affected by product recalls – an overview
Children’s chocolate manufacturer Ferrero was forced to close the factory on official orders. All children’s chocolate products that were made in Arlon and shipped from there across Europe were recalled – every day before Easter.
What Ferrero products were affected by the recall? Here is the full list (source: produktwarnung.eu):
- K Mix 194g Easter Gift Bag
EAN Number: 8000500390160 - Kinder Surprise 3er Pack (3x 20g) Classic Egg
EAN VB: 4008400240329
Best Before History: All - Kinder Surprise Pack of 3 (3x 20g) Pink Egg
EAN VB: 4008400480329
Best Before History: All - Baby chocolate 125g, 200g, 300g, 200g + 25g free, 300g + 50g free, 350g, 500g
EAN VB:
5413548280189
5413548283128
4008400621722
4008400280127
4008400621920
8000500269633
5413548015552 - Kinder Bones White Chocolate 200 gm
EAN VB: 8000500289877
Best Before History: All - Kinder Surprise Maxi Classic Egg 100gm
EAN VB: 4008400231327
Best Before History: All - Kinder Surprise Maxi Pink Egg 100gm
EAN VB: 4008400230825
Best Before History: All - Kinder mini eggs with hazelnut 100 gm
EAN VB: 8000500196809
Best Before History: All - Kinder Mini Cocoa Egg 100gm
EAN VB: 8000500361207
Best Before History: All - Kinder mini kinder chocolate eggs 100 gm
EAN VB: 8000500234303
Best Before History: All - Kinder Mix Colored Mix 132 gm
EAN VB: 4008400313221
Best Before History: All - Mix Basket for Kids 86g
EAN VB: 8000500350911
Best Before History: All - Mixed bag for children 193 grams
EAN VB: 8000500371466
Best Before History: All - Kinder Happy Moments 162g
EAN VB: 8000500284391
Best Before History: All - Kinder Happy Moments Mini Mix – Greetings Edition 162g
EAN VB: 8000500284391
Best Before History: All - Kinder Surprise Maxi Smurf Egg 100gm
EAN VB: 8000500269008
Best Before History: All - Kinder mini mixed eggs 250 gm
EAN VB: 8000500295168
Best Before History: All - Maxi Mix Plush For Kids 133gm
EAN VB: 4008400271323
Best Before History: All - Kinder Surprise 4er Pack (4x20g)
EAN VB: 4008400240527
Best Before History: All
Salmonella risk also with Ferrero Christmas chocolate from 2021
- Kinder Surprise Maxi Classic Christmas Egg 100g
EAN VB: 4008400230726
Best Before History: All - Kinder Surprise Maxi Pink Christmas Egg 100gm
EAN VB: 4008400231723
Best Before History: All - Mix baby shoes 219 g
EAN VB: 8000500371435
Best Before History: All - Mixed Baby Gift Bag 193gm
EAN VB: 8000500370551
Best Before History: All - Maxi Mix Plush For Kids 133gm
EAN VB: 4008400270326
Best Before History: All - Children’s Advent Calendar Combination Table 127
EAN VB: 8000500242131
Best Before History: All
Remember Ferrero: These are the symptoms of salmonella infection
According to the Consumer Center, salmonella appears within a few days after having diarrhea and abdominal pain. Sometimes vomiting and mild fever can occur. In healthy people, symptoms usually subside after a few days.
However, in some cases, serious illnesses can occur, especially in infants, young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. (dpa, x)