Ferrero has announced a suspension of operations at its Arlon, Belgium, production facility according to a statement released today (April 8, 2022).
The halt in production was initiated as a result of the Belgian food safety authority (AFSCA) having suspended Ferrero’s manufacturing authorization.
In addition, the company has extended its recall to include “the entire production of Kinder Surprise, Kinder Mini Eggs, Kinder Surprise Maxi 100g and Kinder Schokobons made in Arlon.”
Kinder chocolate products manufactured in the Arlon production plant have been linked to an outbreak of monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium in the United Kingdom (UK) and several member countries of the European Union (EU).
As of April 8, 2022, according to the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC), outbreak cases have been confirmed in France (25), Germany (6), Ireland (10), Luxembourg (1), Netherlands (2), Norway (1), Sweden (4), and the United Kingdom (65).
Additional probable outbreak cases are under investigation in Belgium (26) and Germany (2), for a total of 142 confirmed and probable cases.
The first outbreak case was recognized in the UK on January 7, 2002, and the first report of cases in EU countries was on February 17th.
The reported illnesses have occured mainly in children under ten years of age.
Recalls
Consumers in the UK were first alerted to the problem on April 2, 2022, when the Food Standards Agency posted a recall notice for certain batches of Ferrero’s Kinder Surprise chocolate novelty products.
Since that date, Kinder chocolate products have been recalled in multiple countries within the EU, as well in Canada, the United States, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong.
With this most recent expansion of Ferraro’s recall, the number and scope of recall notices can be expected to increase.
Ferrero Confectionery Indonesia issued an April 7th press release advising that the Kinder chocolate products sold in Indonesia were manufactured in India and are not affected by the recalls.
Ferrero’s actions
Ferrero admitted in its April 7th recall update that the company knew about a Salmonella problem as long ago as December 15, 2021.
An internal investigation determined the origin of the contamination to be “…a filter at the outlet of two raw material tanks.”
The affected products and materials were put on hold, the filter was removed, and the company increased what the news release described as its “…already high level of controls on semi-finished and finished products.”
It is unclear from the news release whether the initial finding was in an environmental sample or a finished product. Nor did the company reveal whether or not production was shut down for thorough cleaning and sanitizing after the Salmonella finding.
In its April 8th update, Ferrero acknowledged “… internal inefficiencies, creating delays in retrieving and sharing information in a timely manner.”
The Arlon facility, which accounts for 7% of the total volume of Kinder products, will remain closed pending completion of the investigation. The plant will only re-open once certified by the authorities, according to the company.
You can find additional background information on a prior Salmonella outbreak associated with chocolate novelty products in Chapter 15 of TAINTED. From Farm Gate to Dinner Plate, Fifty Years of Food Safety Failures. Order the digital or audiobook editions from your favorite on-line retailer, or purchase the paperback or hardcover edition from Amazon.
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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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OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: The CDC has received reports of 103 Norovirus illnesses associated with consumption of raw or lightly cooked oysters from the Canadian province of British Columbia. As of today, the agency has confirmed reports of outbreak-related illnesses from thirteen states, including CA, CO, FL, HI, IL, MA, MN, NJ, NV, NY, OR, TX and WA. CDC is working with state and local partners to determine a more accurate number of illnesses in this outbreak and will update this number as more information is gathered.
Food Safety Recall:Our Table Cooperative (Sherwood, Oregon) recalls Frozen Blueberries (2½ pound or 5-pound plastic bags; Packed on 03/12/2022) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recalled product was distributed in Oregon between 3/12/22 and 3/29/22.
Food Safety Recall: Ferrero Canada Ltd. recalls multiple Kinder brand chocolate products due to possible Salmonella contamination. There are no known illnesses in Canada at this time that have been linked to any of these recalled products. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall: Union Bay Seafood Ltd. recalls certain Union Bay Seafood Ltd. brand Pacific Oysters due to possible Norovirus contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Europe
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION (UK and EU): EFSA and ECDC are investigating a multi-country outbreak of monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium linked to the consumption of Kinder brand chocolate products manufactured in Belgium by Ferrero. Confirmed cases have been reported by France (20), Germany (4), Ireland (10), Luxembourg (1), Netherlands (2), Norway (1), Sweden (4) and UK (63). An additional 29 probable cases are still under investigation, bringing the total number of cases to 134.
Allergy Alert (Belgium): Hungry Belgians recalls DIKNEK brand sauce « Jean-Claude » (300g; Lots 2021410092, 2021440116, 2021490059, 2021490422, 2021490460, 2022060841, 2022111609; All Best-before dates up to and including 17/09/2023) due to undeclared wheat, soy and molluscs.
Allergy Alert (Germany): Develey Senf & Feinkost GmbH recalls Develey Spicy Burger Sauce (250 ml; Best before 01.12.2022) due to undeclare milk protein.
Allergy Alert (Germany): Herman Kuijper BV recalls NLF Soft Dried Mango (75g; Lot T08D21) due to undeclared sulphites.
Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Herman Kuijper BV recalls NLF Soft Dried Mango (75g; Lot T08D21) due to undeclared sulphites.
Allergy Alert (Sweden): Lundgrens Primörer recalls multiple varieties of dried fruit due to undeclared sulphites. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Austria): Ferrero Österreich recalls multiple Kinder brand chocolate products due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Delhaize recalls Delhaize brand Triangle Mozzarella pesto sandwich (Use by 07-04-2022 and 08-04-2022) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Ferrero recalls multiple Kinder brand chocolate products due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Finland): Snafu Oy recalls Parsakaali Silmusalaatti / Broccoli Sprouts (Expiry date 7.4.2022) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): Ferrero recalls multiple Kinder brand chocolate products due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (France): DELRIEU STEPHANE recalls Chèvre fermier / Goat’s milk cheese (Lot 11.22; Best by 17/04/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): GROIX ET NATURE recalls Groix et Nature brand Rillettes de sardine au piment de Cayenne bio / Sardine rillettes with organic cayenne pepper (100g; Lot 21299C; Use by 26/10/2024) due to possible foreign matter contamination (piece of glass).
Food Safety Recall (France): CASINO recalls Franprix brand Coulommiers au lait cru / raw milk cheese (350g; Lot 250222LI9; Best before 01/05/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): FROMAGERIE DE LIVAROT recalls multple brands of raw milk cheese (Lot 250222LI9; Best b efore 06/05/2022) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Please see Rappels conso site for a complete list of affected brands.
Food Safety Recall (France): GAEC BERGERIE LOU YE TU recalls Bergerie LOU YE TU brand sheep’s milk cheeses due to Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Germany): Ferrero Deutschland GmbH recalls multiple Kinder brand chocolate products due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Germany): Natsu Foods GmbH & Co. KG recalls Natsu Wrap Tomate Mozzarella / Tomato & mozzarella wrap (170g; Use by 06.04.2022, 07.04.2022, 08.04.2022) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Ferrero recalls multiple Kinder brand chocolate products due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Luxembourg): Ferrero recalls multiple Kinder brand chocolate products due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Ferrero recalls multiple Kinder brand chocolate products due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Norway): Ferrero recalls multiple Kinder brand chocolate products due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Romania): Ferrero recalls multiple Kinder brand chocolate products due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Slovakia): Ferrero Česká s.r.o. recalls multiple Kinder brand chocolate products due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall Update (UK): Ferrero recalls five Kinder brand chocolate products due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): City Super Limited recalls Kinder brand Egg Hunt Kit (150g; Best before August 21, 2022; Product of Belgium) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Israel): Premium Sweets and Trading Company Ltd. recalls three Kinder Surprise chocolate novelty products due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Singapore): Redmart Ltd recalls Kinder Surprise chocolate novelty product (Best before dates between 11 July 2022 and 7 October 2022; Product of Belgium) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Australia and New Zealand
Food Safety Recall (Australia): Ferrero Australia Pty. Ltd. recalls four Kinder brand chocolate products due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
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