Ferrero calls due to a… [+] Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak already affecting at least 150 people, mostly young children, in 10 countries. (Photo by Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty Images)
PA Images via Getty Images
Well, diarrhea would probably come as a surprise after eating some Easter chocolates. And in this case it would be a nasty surprise. Ferrero is recalling several different types of its Kinder Surprise and other egg products due to an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium that has already affected at least 150 people, mostly young children, in 10 countries. Well, these eggs aren’t the kind you can beat or a chicken can lay. Instead, according to the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA), the recall consists of the following sweet products:
- Kinder Surprise (pack size 20g): All “Best By” dates up to and including January 4, 2023
- Kinder Surprise (pack size 20g x 3 pack): All “Best By” dates up to and including January 4, 2023
- Kinder Surprise (pack size 100g): All “Best By” dates up to and including August 21, 2022
- Kinder mini eggs (pack size 75g): All “Best By” dates up to and including August 21, 2022
- Kids Egg Hunt Kit (pack size 150g): All “Best By” dates up to and including August 21, 2022
- Children’s chocolate bons (pack sizes 70g, 200g and 320g): All dates up to and including January 4, 2023
But the UK isn’t the only country affected by the outbreak and, with it, the recall. According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), as of April 8, there were 119 confirmed and 31 probable cases of Salmonella in nine countries in the European Union/European Economic Area (Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands). , Norway, Spain and Sweden) and Great Britain since December 21st. The ECDC announcement noted that “most cases are in children under the age of 10, many of whom are hospitalised,” as opposed to adults under the age of 10.
A police car pulls into the Ardennes Ferrero factory in Arlon on Friday April 8, 2022. (Photo by Eric… [+] LALMAND/BELGA MAG/Belga via AFP) (Photo by ERIC LALMAND/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)
BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images
It looks like ECDC won’t have to go on an Easter egg hunt to find the source of the outbreak. Back in December 2021, Ferrero had found Salmonella Typhimurium in a buttermilk tank at its factory in Arlon, Belgium. According to ECDC, at that time the company had “implemented some hygiene measures and increased sampling and testing of the products and the processing environment. After testing negative for Salmonella, the chocolate products were then distributed across Europe and worldwide.” Ah, but as of March 2022, sequencing data linked Salmonella cases in various parts of Europe to Belgium. Health warnings followed and Ferrero initiated the voluntary recall of certain products. Then the food safety agency in Belgium essentially shut down the Arlon factory after an April 8 inspection.
Before you believe what happens in Europe, stays in Europe, remember that Ferrero USA, Inc. is also conducting a voluntary recall. This recall affects two products marketed in the United States: the Kinder Happy Moments Chocolate Assortment and the Kinder Mix Chocolate Treats Basket, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on 12 , they don’t feel like it. The recall covers all Kinder Happy Moments ranges of milk chocolate and crispy wafers that have a universal product code (UPC) of 09800 52025 and a “best before” date of July 18, 2022 on the right side. If you’re wondering about your kids Mix Chocolate Treats Basket, look for a UPC of 09800 60209 on the bottom of its packaging and a “best before” date (which is July 30, 2022), replace those two “best before” dates with “never” and contact Ferrero Customer Service (1-800-688-3552) or website for a replacement.
Here’s a segment from ABC Action News on the recall:
Now it is not clear how many of these products may have been contaminated. However, you probably don’t want to roll the dice and play craps with your chocolates.
Whenever someone asks you, “Would you like some salmonella with that,” the most common answer should be “no.” Salmonella infection is no good, provided you don’t have fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. It could get even worse, especially if you’re a young child, older adult, or otherwise have a compromised immune system. Salmonella infection can lead to some serious complications such as infection of the bloodstream, arteries, heart or joints and even death.
I’ve written about salmonella for Forbes several times because you could make a buffet of the different foods that have been sources of various salmonella outbreaks since 2017. For example, a large salmonella outbreak in Oranienburg last summer had an onion ring. Food and drink have not been the only source of such outbreaks in recent years. The risk of salmonella is another reason you shouldn’t brush a hedgehog’s teeth, aside from the fact that hedgehogs have fairly short arms.
So be sure to check your chocolates and their product codes before consuming them at Easter or anytime after. Life might be like a box of chocolates where you never know what you’re going to get. But one thing you don’t want to get is salmonella.