On September 16, 2022, Belgium’s food safety authority (AFSCA) issued a final authorization for production for Ferraro’s manufacturing facility, located at Arlon.
The Arlon plant produces Kinder Surprise and other novelty chocolate products, and has been operating under a conditional authorization since June.
What happened?
On April 2, 2022, the UK Food Standards Agency alerted consumers to potential Salmonella contamination in certain batches of Kinder Surprise chocolates.
On April 8th, Belgium announced its decision to withdraw Ferrero’s authorization to manufacture food products at its Arlon plant, where the Kinder Surprise chocolates were made.
The decision, according to AFSCA, was due to the presence of Salmonella in the plant’s environment, the agency’s dissatisfaction with the lack of transparency on the part of the company regarding its Salmonella problem, and reports of Salmonella illnesses associated with the products from that plant.
In response to the AFSCA action, Ferrero expanded its initial recall to encompass all products manufactured in the Arlon facility. In doing so, the company also acknowledged that it had been aware of a Salmonella contamination problem in its production plant since December 15, 2021.
According to the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC), as of July 15th, 401 confirmed (n=399) and probable (n=2) cases of monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium had been reported in 13 EU member countries and the UK. An additional 54 cases were reported in Canada (n=4), Switzerland (n=49), and United States (n=1).
Specific chocolate products from a Belgian chocolate factory were identified as likely vehicles of infection in the ECDC report, although the agency did not mention the company by name.
A new beginning
Following extensive cleaning, testing, and updates to product safety protocols, trainings, and sampling in the plant, conducted by Ferrero in concert with the AFSCA, the Belgian agency granted Ferrero conditional authorisation to restart its production lines on June 17, 2022.
After three months of probationary production, the authorization has now been finalized.
In announcing the authorization, Ferrero expressed its gratitude with AFSCA’s close collaboration and its assistance, and promised to do better going forward.
“We have learned a lot during this period and have quickly put these learnings into practice,” the company said in its news release. “The granting of our production licence means everything is in place for our factory to produce with confidence and we will continue to do everything we can to prevent this from happening again.”
Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.
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Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations? Click on the TAINTED menu at the top of the page to read or listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.
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OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: The FDA investigation of consumer complaints of gastrointestinal illness and abnormal liver function that may be attributable to eating Daily Harvest French Lentil & Leek Crumbles frozen product is on-going. The agency has received 386 “Adverse Event Reports,” including 130 hospitalizations. Daily Harvest initiated a recall on June 17, 2022. The FDA reminds consumers not to eat, sell, or serve recalled products. Consumers who may still have the recalled product in their freezers should throw it away.
Allergy Alert: FSIS issues Public Health Alert for aprons READY TO COOK MEAL FOR ONE BACON-CHEDDAR SMOTHERED CHICKEN (12 oz plastic wrapped metal containers; Use by 9/21/2022) due to undeclared egg. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.
Canada
Allergy Alert: Cardinal Meat Specialists Ltd. recalls M&M Food Market brand Prime Rib Beef Burgers (825g; Batch code 195 2; UPC 6 61815 01672 5) due to undeclared gluten and wheat.
Food Safety Recall: Œuf Xceptionnel (Saint-Constant, QC) recalls SAUMON FUMÉ / Smoked salmon (Sold up to 15 September 2022) due to lack of mandatory storage temperature instruction labeling.
Europe
Food Safety Recall (Austria): Käserei Gloggnitz GmbH recalls Kajmak, Trinkjoghurt, Frischkäse / Kajmak, Drinking yoghurt and cream cheese due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): LEADER PRICE recalls PANZANI brand TOMACOULI / tomato coulis (3 x 200g; Best before 01/04/2024 & 01/05/2024; Multiple lot codes) due to package defect that could result in swollen packages.
Food Safety Recall (France): AZ Distribution recalls ALGOTA brand Sésame Tahini (400g; Lot P1/2021; Best by 31/01/2023) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): PRODUCTION MYTILIMER recalls La Cancalaise brand Moules de Bouchot Baie du Mont-Saint-Michel AOP / Bouchot mussels (1.4 kg; Lot 8350809251; Use by 16/09/2022) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): LE PETIT DIEU recalls Le petit Dieu Rollot Fermier / Farm cheese wheel (Lots 170, 177, 198; Best before dates between 29/09/2022 and 12/10/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): Lidl recalls Etal du boucher brand Merguez fortes sausages (Lot C2250350; Use by 19/09/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): EARL DES GIRAULTS recalls EARL des Giraults brand oeufs en vrac / Bulk shell eggs (Use by dates between 08/08/2022 and 10/10/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): SOLEANErecalls SOLEANE brand SALADE DE PATE AU JAMBON EMMENTAL OU GNOCCHI AU JAMBON EMMENTAL / Pasta salad with emmental, ham or gnocchi (230g, 400g & 2.5 kg; Lot 248; Use by 30/09/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): SOLEANE recalls SOLEANE and MON POTAGER brands SALADE NORVEGIENNE AU SAUMON FUME / Norwegian salad with smoked salmon (400g & 2.5 kg; Lot 245; Use by 27/09/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): DIPA CEMOI recalls L’authentique petit ourson guimauve lait XL / Milk chocolate covered marshmallow bear (25g; Lot number starting 22171; Best before 30/06/2023) due to foreign matter contamination (metal wire).
Food Safety Recall (France): KARMIN INTERMARCHE CHAROLLES recalls ONETIK brand OSSAU IRATY AU LAIT CRU / Ossau Iraty (sheep milk cheese) made with raw milk (Lot 082; Use by 10/11/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): GAEC RECONNU LA MARTINERIE recalls fromage frais / fresh cheese made with raw cow’s milk (Lot 0609; Best by 18/09/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Germany): EDEKA recalls Gut & Günstig Frischeiwaffeln / Fresh egg waffles (250g; Best before 04.11.2022) due to foreign matter contamination (metal).
Food Safety Recall (Germany): Dovgan GmbH recalls SUNTAT Helva mit Vanillegeschmack / Vanilla flavoured halvah (350g; Lot 11.2023 L 15M21; Best before 11/2023) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Germany): Fa. BLG Kardesler GmbH recalls SUNTAT Helva mit Vanillegeschmack / Vanilla flavoured halvah (350g; Lot L 15M21; Best before 30.11.2023) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Spain): Industry recalls President brand Président Rulo cabra Sainte Maure / Saint Maure goat cheese log (180g x 6pcs; Expiry dates 10/10/2022, 10/13/2022 and 10/21/2022; Product of France) and President brand queso cabra Riblaire / Riblaire goat cheese (1 kg x 2 pcs; Expiry dates 10/24/2022 and 10/28/2022; Product of France) due to foreign matter contamination (metal).
Food Safety Recall (Spain): Industry recalls Ovopack brand Huevo entero líquido pasteurizado / Pasteurized liquid whole egg (1L Tetrabrik; Lot 11160; Expiry date 01/10/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.
Australia and New Zealand
Public Health Alert (New Zealand): The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is advising consumers of a possible risk of contracting Hepatitis A from imported frozen berries. Consumers, especially those with chronic liver damage, the elderly and pregnant people to consider extra precautions if eating frozen berries. MPI is aware of three genetically linked cases of Hepatitis A virus in individuals who regularly consume imported frozen berries.
Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.
If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.
Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations? Click on the TAINTED menu at the top of the page to read or listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.
TAINTED is now available FREE to Kindle Unlimited subscribers
Listen to an excerpt of the new audiobook edition right here
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: The FDA is investigating a new outbreak of 6 cases of Listeria monocytogenes infections. The source of the outbreak has not yet been determined. The FDA is in the process of conducting an on-site inspection, including collection and analysis of samples.
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: The CDC reports 7 cases of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to consumption of Ground beef in select HelloFresh meal kits in six states. Six people have been hospitalized, although no cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) have been reported.
FDA Warning Letter: FDA has warned The Royal Ice Cream Company Inc. (Manchester, CT) that an inspection of the company’s ready-to-eat (RTE) ice cream product manufacturing facility conducted in January/February 2022 revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in environmental swabs collected during the inspection as well as other serious violations of Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food regulation.
FDA Warning Letter: FDA has warned Chaur Fong Inc. dba 888 Food Company (South El Monte, CA) that an inspection of the company’s seafood processing facility conducted in June 2022 revealed serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation.
FDA Warning Letter: FDA has warned Banks Square Market Corp. dba The Produce Connection (Wakefield, MA) that an inspection of the company’s ready-to-eat (RTE) fresh-cut fruit and vegetable processing facility conducted in February/March 2022 revealed revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in environmental swabs collected during the inspection as well as other serious violations of Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food regulation.
Canada
Food Safety Recall: Marché Ankasso(Montréal-Nord, QC) recalls ÉPICES CRÉOLES / EPIS KREYOL / Creole spices (Sold up to 9 September 2022) due to lack of mandatory storage temperature labeling.
Europe
Allergy Alert (Denmark): Rema Distribution Danmark A/S recalls Frilandsgris schnitzler mandel og paprika / Free-range pork schnitzel with nuts and paprika (250g; Best before 20.09.2022) due to undeclared almonds.
Allergy Alert (France): AUCHAN RETAIL SERVICES recalls AUCHAN SOLIDAIRES MOUSSE DE FOIE / Liver mousse (160g; Lot 000011011077; Use by 02/10/2022) due to undeclared milk and egg.
Allergy Alert (Ireland): Aldi recalls Bramwells Tartare Sauce (175g; Batch code 2118; Best before APR 2023) due to undeclared sulphites.
Allergy Alert (Netherlands): PepsiCo Nederland recalls Duyvis Borrelnoten Provençale / Beer nuts (125g & 1000g; Lot #NLZ 010 230; Best before 15/04/2023 & 20/05/2023, respectively) due to undeclared almonds and cashews.
Allergy Alert (UK): Costa Coffee recalls Costa Coffee British Roast Chicken Salad Sandwich (Use by 11 September 2022, 12 September 2022, 13 September 2022 14 September 2022, 15 September 2022 and 16 September 2022) due to undeclared mustard.
Allergy Alert (UK): ALDI recalls Bramwells Tartare Sauce (175g; Product code 73685 and 40691; Batch code 2118; Best before April 2023) due to undeclared sulphites.
Allergy Alert Update (UK): Unisnacks Europe Limited recalls Lotte Pepero Snowy Almond (32g; Best before 01 May 2023 and 02 May 2023) due to undeclared peanuts and sesame.
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Franprixrecalls Bûche de chèvre Sainte-Maure Franprix / goat cheese log (200g; All Use by dates between 01/10/2022 and 10/10/2022) due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal particles).
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): LEADER PRICE recalls BUCHE FONDANTE PRESIDENT/ Cheese log for melting (250g; All Use by dates between 24/09/2022 and 10/10/2022) and Bûche de chèvre Sainte-Maure / Goat cheese (200g; All Use by dates between 02/10/2022 and 25/10/2022) due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal particles).
Food Safety Recall (Finland): Lidl Suomi Ky recalls Président Sainte Maure goat cheese log (200g; Use by 06.10.22, 17.10.22, 20.10.22 and 23.10.22) due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal particles).
Food Safety Recall (France): CORICO recalls MEDINA HALAL brand Saucisson de dinde / Turkey sausage slices (150g; Lot 9772000250; Use by 17/10/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenescontamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): SILVE INTERMARCHE recalls MONIQUE RANOU brand Sandwich Club Jambon Beurre / Club sandwich with butter and ham (125g; Lot 22-250A; Use by 25/09/2022) due to possible Listeria monocytogenescontamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): PANZANI recalls PANZANI brand TOMACOULI NATURE / Tomato sauce, plain (3 x 200g; Multiple lot codes; Best before 01/04/2024 & 01/05/2024) due to possible package leaks.
Food Safety Recall (France): BIOCOOP recalls BIOCOOP brand Farine de sarrasin T130 / Buckwheat flour (1 kg; Lot 290822 FSAT130S1 – 214; Best before 29/08/2023) due to elevated level of ochratoxin A.
Food Safety Recall (France): LE FROMAGER DES HALLES recalls REBLOCHON FERMIER AOP LA GRANGE / Farm cheese wheel (All lots; Use by 30/09/2022) due to possible shigatoxin-producing E. coli contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Germany): Fa. Hubi GmbH recalls Halva Pistachio / Halvah with pistachios (800g; Best before 27.02.2023; Product of Syria) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Italy): Ciavolino Daniele & Figli Roma Srl recalls ALESTO brand ARACHIDI IN GUSCIO TOSTATE / Roasted peanuts in the shell (500g; Lot 19522P; Best before 07/2023) due to elevated level of aflatoxins.
Food Safety Recall (Italy): Société Fromagere De Riblaire recalls President brand Tronchetto di Capra / Goat cheese log (1 kg; Lots 238ACN360 – 238ACN72; Best before 25-10-2022) due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal particles).
Food Safety Recall (Italy): Société Fromagere De Riblaire recalls President brand Tronchetto di Capra / Goat cheese log (200g; Lot 232CB05320; Best before 12-10-2022) due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal particles).
Food Safety Recall (Italy): Société Fromagere De Riblaire recalls President brand Tronchetto di Capra / Goat cheese log (200g; Lot 227AD05320; Best before 6-10-2022) due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal particles).
Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Hoogvliet recalls Rio brand Gedemineraliseerd water / Demineralized water (Top of bottle code 628072022; Sold since January 2022) because the bottles were filled with an unknown liquid.
Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Classic Fine Foods (Hong Kong) Limited recalls CHILLED GOAT CHEESE SAINT MAURE (200g; Use by November 1, 2022, and November 5, 2022; Product of France) due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal particles).
Food Safety Recall (Singapore): Lactalis Singapore Pte. Ltd recalls Président Sainte Maure Cheese (200g; Lot codes 227DD0539, 234AC0565 & 241DD0540; Expiry dates 01/11/22, 05/11/22 & 15/11/22, respectively; Product of France) due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal particles).
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