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.
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.
Listen to an excerpt of the new audiobook edition right here
Allergy Alert: Dierbergs Markets recalls Fresh Garden Spiral Pasta Salad (12 oz & 2 lb family pack; Sell by 5/31/22) due to undeclared egg.
Food Safety Recall:America New York Ri Wang Food Group Co., Ltd.recalls approximately 14,635 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) sausage sticks and luncheon loaf products due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal). Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Public Health Alert: USDA/FSIS issues Public Health Alert for Great Value Black Forest Ham Water Added (1 lb resealable pkg; Best if used by 07/15/22) because the product may be underprocessed. A recall was not requested because it is believed that the product is no longer available for consumers to purchase.
Canada
Allergy Alert: Royal Import & Export Ltd. recalls Jumbo brand Melk Chocopasta (Milk Chocolate Spread) (400g; Lot 17921B; Best before 08/2022; UPC 8 718452 449873) due to undeclared hazelnuts.
Allergy Alert: GB Foods recalls various GB Foods brand sausage products due to undeclared gluten and/or wheat. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall: Le Centre d’action bénévole aux 4 vents (Waterloo, QC) recalls Saumon fumé / Smoked salmon (Sold up to 17 May 2022) due to lack of storage temperature specification on product label.
Food Safety Recall: Le Caveau FRUITS ET LÉGUMES(Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, QC) recalls MAQUEREAU FUMÉ / Smoked mackerel (Sold up to 17 May 2022) due to lack of storage temperature specification on product label.
Food Safety Recall: Canadian Choice Wholesalers recalls Suzie’s brand Organic Cocktail Sauce (237 ml; Best by 10/07/22; UPC 0 47281 20142 9) due to spoilage.
Food Safety Recall: Mantab Inc. recalls Below Zero brand Whole Raspberries IQF (1 kg; Lot XT21253; Best before 2023-SE-09; UPC 0 69821 06020 4) due to Norovirus contamination.
Europe
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE (Multiple countries): ECDC reports 324 cases (266 confirmed and 58 probable) of monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium infections in twelve EU countries and the UK have now been associated with consumption of Kinder – Ferrero chocolate products manufactured in Arlon, Belgium. Cases have also been identified in Canada (1 case), Switzerland (43 cases) and the United States (1 case), bringing the total to 369 cases.
Allergy Alert (Belgium): Traindevie recalls multiple products due to undeclared milk. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Allergy Alert (France): Monoprix recalls Monoprix brand La Baguette Jambon Emmental / Ham and Emmental cheese baguette (Use by dates between 16/05/2022 and 21/05/2022 due to undeclared sesame.
Allergy Alert (Iceland): Kjöt & Pylsumeistarinn recalls Steikarpylsa / Steak sausage (400-480g pkgs and in bulk; All best before dates up to 18.05.2022) due to undeclared mustard.
Allergy Alert (Ireland): Industry recalls Just Free Gluten Free Black Pudding (260g; Batch 041-22; Use by 20/05/2022) and Just Free Gluten Free White Pudding (260g; Batch 041-22; Use by 20/05/2022) due to undeclared gluten.
Allergy Alert (Luxembourg): Food Safety Authority recalls several Vó Elisa brand products due to undeclared sesame. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Allergy Alert (Spain): Mulitple brands of chocolate products contain undeclared peanuts. Please see AESAN notice for a complete list of affected products.
Allergy Alert (UK): Asian Traders Ltd recalls Parle Premium Rusk (200g; Batch code PA ATL/3694; Best before 04 June 2022) due to undeclared milk.
Allergy Alert (UK): SP Wholesale recalls Wonka Bar (Milk Chocolate) (100g; Batch codes 18121P & 33421P; Best before 30 June 2023 & 30 November 2023, respectively) due to undeclared almonds and peanuts.
Allergy Alert (UK – Northern Ireland): Lidl NI recalls Just Free Gluten Free Black Pudding (260g; Batch 041-22; Use by 20/05/2022) and Just Free Gluten Free White Pudding (260g; Batch 041-22; Use by 20/05/2022) due to undeclared gluten.
Allergy Alert Update (UK): Lidl GB recalls Starovice Czech Lager 5.0% (500 ml; All Best Before dates up to and including 23 December 2022) due to undeclared sulphur dioxide.
Food Safety Recall (Belgium):Detry sa recalls AUBEL brand Boulettes Rôties / Roasted meatballs (6+1 / 595g; Lot 7732; Use by 11/06/2022) due to defective package seals.
Food Safety Recall (France): PERIGORD FARINES MINOTERIE ALLAFORT recalls FARINE DE BLE NOIR SARRASIN FLUIDE / Buckwheat flour (1 kg; Lot 118CS11; Best before 29/10/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): Auchan recalls ESCALOPES DE POULET / Chicken breasts (Sold between 11 and 16 April) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): SCEA DU CERISIER EARL du Cerisier recalls SCEA du Cerisier brand pâté croute moutarde ancienne / Old-fashioned mustard pâté with crust (Use by 01/06/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): JIRD INTERMARCHE recalls SIEBERT brand CUISSE DE POULET / Chicken leg (Lot 3160422922; Use by 27/04/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): Lidl recalls Baguette Céréales Rustique / Rustic seeded baguette (Baked on site) due to foreign matter contamination (metal).
Food Safety Recall (France): J.C.David recalls La Cuisine du Poissonnier brand Filets de hareng doux fumé / Mild smoked herring fillets (200g; Lot 119; Use by 03/06/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Germany): Maggi GmbH recalls MAGGI 5 Minuten Terrine Kartoffelbrei mit Steinpilzen / 5-minute mashed potato with porcini mushroom terrine (Lots 21270703Z, 21280703Z, 21290703Z; Best before 31.05.2023) and MAGGI 5 Minuten Terrine Kartoffelbrei mit Röstzwiebeln & Croûtons +25% / 5-minute mashed potato terrine with roasted onions and croutons +25% (Lot 21280703Z; Best before 31.05.2023) due to foreign matter contamination (metal).
Food Safety Recall (Iceland): John Ross Junior ltd recalls John Ross brand Scottish smoked salmon (340g; Best before 28.05.22) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Industry recalls Villani Cacciatore Italiano salami (170g; Batch code 240222; Best before 15.07.22; Product of Italy) due to Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Italy): Villani SpA recalls Villani salame cacciatore (170g; Lots 240222 & 26/01/22; Best before 15/07/2022) due to Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): DekaMarkt recalls 1 de beste Baguettes wit 2 stuks (two-pack; Best before 14-08-2022) due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal).
Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
Food Safety Recall (Israel): Israel Ministry of Health has instructed Tnuva to recall powdered milk manufactured between 9/8 and 25/8/2021 due to possible Salmonella contamination. The milk powder was supplied to food manufacturers and not distributed on the retail market.
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.
Listen to an excerpt of the new audiobook edition right here
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: The CDC has closed its investigation into an outbreak of four cases of Cronobacter sakazakii infections in infants. All four infants were hospitalized, and two of them died. The FDA investigation into the incident, which is linked to consumption of powdered infant formulas manufactured by Abbott Nutrition in Sturgis, Michigan, is on-going.
Allergy Alert: HP Hood LLC recalls Planet Oat Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert ( 1 pt – 473 ml; Best before 12/17/22; UPC 44100709869) and Planet Oat Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert (1 pt – 473 ml; Best before 12/17/22; UPC 44100709906) due to undeclared peanuts.
Allergy Alert: USDA/FSIS issues public health alert due to concerns that Weis Markets’ ready-to-eat (RTE) General Tso Chicken meals may contain milk. Please refer to the public health alert for a complete list of affected products. The products are no longer available for sale.
Allergy Alert:Mrs Miller’s Homemade Jams recalls Smokey BBQ Bacon Jam and Spicy Chili Bacon Jam (packed in glass jars; Sold 04/01/2019 – 05/09/2022) due to undeclared soy.
Food Safety Recall: Mars Wrigley Confectionery US, LLC recalls specific varieties of SKITTLES® Gummies, STARBURST® Gummies, and LIFE SAVERS® Gummies due to potential foreign matter contamination (very thin metal strand). Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Alert: New York State warns consumers not to consume unpasteurized raw milk from Thomas Miller DBA Miller Dairy Farmdue to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Canada
Allergy Alert: Tree Brewing Co. recalls Tree Brewing Co. brand Golden Larch Grapefruit Radler (473 ml; Packaged 16MAR2022; UPC 6 24524 21543 8) and Tree Brewing Co. brand Season Pass 8-pack (8 x 473 ml; Packaged 15MAR2022; UPC 6 24524 45498 1) due to undeclared sulphites.
Food Safety Recall: Au Quai(Drummondville, QC) recalls HARENG FUMÉ À L’HUILE / Smoked herring in oil (Sold up to 10 May 2022) due to improper packaging that presents a food safety hazard.
Food Safety Recall: Gourmet Laurier inc. (Montréal, QC) recalls multiple cheeses made with raw milk due to the absence of a “raw milk” warning on the labels.
Food Safety Recall: Petits pots et gourmandises (Le Locker Distillerie inc., Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, QC) recalls three products packed in glass jars (750 ml; Sold up to 12 May 2022) due to improper packaging that presents a food safety hazard.
Food Safety Recall: Mars Wrigley Canada recalls specific varieties of SKITTLES® Gummies, STARBURST® Gummies and LIFE SAVERS® Gummies due to the potential presence of a very thin metal strand embedded in the gummies or loose in the bag. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Europe
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE (Belgium): AFSCA reports 62 cases of Salmonella infections linked to consumption of Kinder chocolate products manufactured by Ferrero in Arlon, Belgium. These cases are part of a multinational outbreak.
Allergy Alert (Belgium): AFSCA recalls Chongqing brand Instant Noodle – Hot & Sour Flavour (110g; All lot codes and Best before dates) due to undeclared milk.
Allergy Alert (Belgium): AFSCA recalls ALL4TRADE – ZINE brand Bulgur grof bruin / Coarse brown bulgur (800g; Best before 10/2022) due to undeclared wheat.
Allergy Alert (Ireland): FSAI warns consumers of undeclared wheat in ALL4TRADE – ZINE brand Coarse brown bulgur (800g; Best before 10/2022)
Allergy Alert (Luxembourg): Food Safety Authority recalls Chongqing brand Instant Noodle – Hot & Sour Flavour (110g; All lot codes and Best before dates) due to undeclared milk.
Allergy Alert (Spain): AESAN recalls ALL4TRADE – ZINE brand Bulgur grof bruin / Coarse brown bulgur (800g; Best before 10/2022) due to undeclared wheat.
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Belki NV recalls Carrefour (Belki) brand burger de poulet Halal et burger de poulet nature / Halal chicken burger and plain chicken burger (250g; Lots 220505012 & 220502020; Use by 15/5/2022 & 13/5/2022, respectively) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Carrefour recalls Carrefour brand Fromage d’Abbaye / cheese (230g; All Best before dates between 12/05/2022 and 14/05/2022) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): L’Aquarium recalls Huitres No. 2 / Oysters (Lot 050522H) due to E. coli contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): J.C.David recalls J.C.David brand Filets de hareng doux fumé / Smoked sweet herring fillets (200g; Lot 119; Use by 03/06/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): J.C.David recalls La Cuisine du Poissonnier brand Filets de hareng doux fumé / Smoked sweet herring fillets (200g; Lot 119; Use by 03/06/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): LIDL recalls Baguette Céréales Rustique (250g; All lot codes) due to foreign matter contamination (metal).
Food Safety Recall (France): SCAMARK E.LECLERC recalls NOS REGIONS ONT DU TALENT brand FILETS DE HARENG DOUX DU NORD / Smoked sweet herring fillets (200g; Lot 119; Use by 03/06/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): CASINO recalls Franprix brand Duo de billes de chèvre Paprika coeur à la tomate et Graines de pavot coeur à la tapenade / Goat cheese ball stuffed with paprika and tomato and goat cheese ball stuffed with poppy seed tapinade (2-pack / 65g; Lots S22-104 & S22-115; Use by 19/05/2022 & 30/05/2022, respectively) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): VIABAT recalls VIABAT brand Salade de Pieds de Bovins Emincés / Sliced beef-food salad (Lot 117; Use by dates between 07/06/2022 and 17/06/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): GERMLINE recalls GERMLINE brand Déli’mix sprouts (50g; Lot 220509; Use by 21/05/2022) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): E.LECLERC recalls PECHE OCEAN brand MIETTES DE SURIMI – SAVEUR CRABE / Crab-flavour surimi crumbs (180g; Use by 20/06/2022; Hour stamp between 15:00 and 17:00) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): E.LECLERC recalls LES CROISES brand DUO DE BILLES CHÈVRE TOMATE/PAPRIKA – TAPENADE/PAVOT / Pair of stuffed goat cheese balls – Tomato/paprika and Poppy seed/tapenade (65g; Use by 18/05/2022, 30/05/2022, 06/06/2022 & 07/06/2022) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): BESNI FOOD recalls Kerem mini figues séchées / Mini dried figs (250g; Lot 21003123 & 22000191; Use by 29/11/2022 & 31/01/2023, respectively) due to aflatoxin contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Germany): Fleisch- und Wurstwaren Schmalkalden GmbH recalls Wilhelm Brandenburg, Paprikapastete mit Joghurt / Paprika pie with yoghurt (100g; Lot 260422; Best before 17.05.2022) due to foreign matter contamination (metal).
Food Safety Recall (Germany): Villani S.p.A. recalls Salame Cacciatore italiano DOP / Italian salami (150g; Lot 240222; Best before 15.07.2022) due to possible Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Marks & Spencer recalls certain products containing chicken due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (UK): Cranswick Country Foods recalls multiple cooked chicken products due to potential Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Australia and New Zealand
Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Golden Coin Ltd recalls The Grid brand Shanghai Style Pan-fried Buns (all batches and dates) due to undeclared soy.
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