According to the Public Health France report, the salmonellosis epidemic linked to Kinder brand products has affected 42 children since the beginning of the year in the country. Of which 13 had to be hospitalized.
“Thirteen people have been hospitalized for their salmonellosis, all since released,” explains the public health body. The outbreak has not caused any known deaths at this point.
Of all the cases detected in the territory, 32 children were interviewed and all said they had eaten chocolates from the Ferrero group before the onset of their symptoms.
According to their survey, the median age of infected children is 3 years old. Ile-de-France and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur are the two most affected French regions, with seven cases each, ahead of the Grand-Est, with six cases.
Nevertheless, the recalls of the products concerned “should limit the occurrence in France of new cases of salmonellosis in the coming days / weeks”, explains Public Health France. The list of chocolates not to be consumed is available on the website of the Ministry of the Economy.
The products concerned
Initially, these recalls concerned certain batches of chocolates with specific expiration periods. But the procedure has since been extended after the shutdown, by the Belgian authorities, of the factory at the origin of the contamination, located in Arlon (Belgium).
All products produced at this site in the Belgian Ardennes are now recalled, namely: Kinder Surprise, Kinder Mini Eggs, Kinder Surprise Maxi 100g and Kinder Schoko-Bons.
Ferrero advises holders of these products not to consume them and to contact its support team on 08 00 65 36 53 or by post at [email protected]. If they want a refund, they can attach a photo of the packaging of the product concerned, showing the different references (use-by date, bar code number).