The Federal Agency for the Safety of the Belgian Food Chain (Afsca) announced on Friday April 8 that it had ordered the cessation of production at the Kinder chocolate factory, the source of salmonella contamination, deploring “incomplete information” supplied by Italian confectionery giant Ferrero. “After investigating (…) and following the findings of recent hours that the information provided by Ferrero is incomplete, the Agency is today withdrawing authorization from the Ferrero production plant in Arlon”announces Afsca.
The decision to withdraw the authorization for the Arlon plant has been taken “in order to clarify the situation”commented Belgian Agriculture Minister David Clarinval, quoted in the press release. “Such a decision is never taken lightly, but the current circumstances require it”he added, citing the food security imperative.
In the aftermath, Ferrero acknowledged “internal failures”, in a press release. The group “deeply regret this case” and presents its “sincere apologies to all [les] consumers and business partners ».
Kinder Surprise, Kinder Mini Eggs or Schoko-Bons
“For several weeks, more than a hundred cases of salmonellosis have been identified in Europe”indicated the Afsca, stressing that a ” link “ established at the end of March between these poisonings and the Ferrero factory in Arlon (Belgium) “has since been confirmed”. In addition, the agency also orders the recall of all products in the Kinder range from the site.
“This comprehensive product recall concerns all products of the type “Kinder Surprise”, “Kinder Surprise Maxi”, “Kinder Mini Eggs”, “Schoko-Bons”, regardless of batch or expiry date”the agency said in a statement, asking “distribution companies to remove all these products from the shelves”.
The health authority emphasizes that it “will closely monitor the steps taken by Ferrero and will only authorize the reopening of the site after it has been able to conclude that the establishment meets all food safety rules and requirements”. The investigation at Ferrero is continuing, she said, calling on consumers not to eat any of the products in question.