The Belgian public prosecutor is investigating an outbreak of salmonella at the confectionery giant Ferrero against the company. The investigation is linked to a factory in Arlon that Ferrero had to close by order of the authorities last week, the Belgian news agency and other media reported on Monday, citing the public prosecutor in the Belgian province of Luxembourg.
Hundreds of cases of salmonella across Europe had already been linked to candies produced there. On Friday, the Afsca supervisory authority temporarily revoked Ferrero’s production license for the Arlon plant until all food safety rules and requirements are met. In addition, all “kids” chocolate products made in Arlon have been withdrawn.
Ferrero previously announced that salmonella had been detected at the factory on December 15, 2021. Salmonella was found in a sieve at the outlet of two raw material tanks. Products made from it were then retained. The filter has been replaced and the unfinished and finished product controls have been increased.
Product recalls also in Austria
Also in Austria, selected batches of children’s products were recalled or removed from supermarket shelves as a precaution. A detailed list of affected products can be found on the Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) website.