Salmonella in chocolate: cases are increasing in Europe. The official EFSAECDC assessment of some products identified as major outbreaks.
Easter eggs with bow (Adobe Stock)
salmonella and chocolate: 150 cases have been registered by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) so far. Specific products originating from a factory in Belgium and marketed across Europe constitute the first outbreak. Full details.
Salmonella Outbreak in Chocolate: Contaminated Easter Eggs
Researchers from Efsa and ECDC (European Center for Disease Prevention and Control) are still investigating singular causes which are affected contamination of a facility Children Ferrero in Belgium. The factors underlying the contamination and any raw materials contaminated with Salmonella are still unknown.
Egg Basket (Pixabay)
The marketing revocation for the plant followed immediately, as did the official warnings from the giant Ferrero, which as a precautionary measure affected the following products:
- Easter egg children’s surprise T6 “chick”
- Ferrero Kinder Surprise Maxi 100g “Smurfs”
- Children “Wonderful”
- Children’s chocolate bons
Although there are no official cases of salmonella infections in Italy, the food warning is in place. As reported in the official EFSA statement: “Since 8 April 2022 writes EFSA 150 confirmed and probable cases of monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported in nine EU/EEA countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway) , Spain and Sweden) and the United Kingdom.
The cases mainly involved children under the age of 10.
You might also be interested in: Kids Salmonella, Are Easter Eggs Safe? Ferrero answers
The plant in Belgium was already contaminated in December 2021
during one spot check performed in December 2021, the Kinder Ferrero factory in Belgium has tested positive for salmonella. After applying various hygiene measures and further controls, the EFSA again granted approval for the products to be traded in Europe.
However, as of March 2022, they were still performing numerous cases of contamination bacterial. Ferrero therefore decided, as a precautionary measure, to recall all affected products that had already been delivered to the various European supermarkets.
On April 8, 2022, the confectionery giant provided the massive shrinkage of all products belonging to that particular factory in Belgium, regardless of the batch number concerned or the expiry date.
You might also be interested in: Extended Food Alert: Possible Contamination in Surprise Chocolate Eggs
Investigations are ongoing, but the root causes of the contamination are still unknown. Just as the full list of infected products already on the market remains unknown. Then take thisAlarm, even in Italy, for all the children Ferrero Easter eggs that the little ones have been waiting for for a long time. There is currently no official communication from the Ministry of Health.
Children’s recalls in Italy
The Department of Health currently has the following official food recalls:
- Ferrero Children’s Chocolate Bons
- Kinder Surprise T6 chick
- Kinder Surprise Maxi Miraculous Smurfs