Italian confectionery group Ferrero has voluntarily recalled some of its Kinder chocolates from the American shelves for a potential link with salmonella contamination. Ferrero Canada has also recalled certain Kinder branded chocolate sold nationally because of possible Salmonella contamination. There have been no illnesses associated with the products. The distribution of the products includes more than 60 countries ranging from most of Europe to Argentina, Australia, Israel, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Mexico. This widescale export means the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN), managed by the FAO of the United Nations and WHO, is also part of the incident.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will publish an outbreak assessment next week. Kinder Happy Moments Chocolate Assortment and Kinder Mix Chocolate Treats basket are being recalled because they were manufactured in a facility where salmonella was detected, according to the Ferrero North America office.

Ferrero acknowledged there were “internal inefficiencies,” creating delays in getting and sharing information in a timely manner.

“This impacted the speed and effectiveness of the investigations. This is the only and right decision to take to ensure the maximum level of food safety and eliminate the risk of further contamination,” according to a company statement.“We deeply regret this matter. We want to sincerely apologize to all our consumers and business partners and thank the food safety authorities for their valuable guidance. Food safety, quality, and consumer care have been at the heart of Ferrero since the company was founded. This serious event goes to the core of what we stand for and we will take every step necessary to preserve the full trust and confidence of our consumers.” The voluntary recall comes after Ferrero recalled its Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs from the UK stores earlier this week, adding that the affected chocolate was manufactured in Belgium and the recall may be extended to other countries.The chocolate firm Ferrero has been forced to extend its recall of Kinder products to include all those manufactured at a site in Belgium.

The previous recall was announced amid salmonella concerns and only covered products with best-before dates up to 7 October, 2022. But now it has widened it to include all Kinder products manufactured at Ferrero’s Arlon site since June.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said the latest update means all the products in the recall notice, no matter what the best-before date is, should not be eaten. The products affected by the recall are Kinder Surprise, Kinder Mini Eggs, Kinder Surprise Egg 100g and Kinder Schoko-Bons.

Tina Potter, head of incidents at the FSA, said the agency is continuing to investigate the outbreak of salmonella cases linked to the Kinder products.

“Consumers should follow the advice in the latest recall notice, which details all of the products which may pose a risk,” she said.

“We have emphasised to the business and the authorities in Belgium the importance of taking as precautionary an approach to their recall as possible and trust that they will continue to put consumers’ needs first in any action they take.

Ferrero USA has recalled two Kinder brand chocolate products in the United States. Almost 150 children in Europe and the United Kingdom have been infected with Salmonella which has been found in the production plant

Kinder Happy Moments Chocolate Assortment was distributed in BJ’s Wholesale Club stores and Costco outlets in the Bay Area and Northern Nevada; and Kinder Mix Chocolate Treats basket were sold in 14 Big Y supermarkets in Connecticut and Massachusetts with best before dates in July 2022.

These and other Kinder products were manufactured in Arlon, Belgium, and sent to more than 60 countries. Ferrero revealed a genetic match between almost 150 Salmonella cases in Europe and this factory in Belgium. The majority of those sick are children.

Salmonella found in December
Internal analysis by the company detected Salmonella at the plant in mid-December. After an investigation, the origin of contamination was identified to be a filter at the outlet of two raw material tanks. These materials and finished products were blocked and not released, according to the company.

The filter was removed and controls on semi-finished and finished products were increased. Investigations are ongoing to determine how contaminated product still made it to the market.

Eight countries have reported 119 confirmed and 28 probable monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium infections linked to the chocolate products.

The United Kingdom is the most affected country with 65 patients. There are 25 confirmed cases in France, 15 in Ireland, six in Germany, four in Sweden, two in the Netherlands and one each in Luxembourg and Norway. Belgium is investigating 26 probable cases and Germany has two.

Plant told to halt operations
Belgian authorities have now withdrawn approval for the production site in Arlon and Ferrero is recalling Kinder products made there. All Kinder Surprise, Kinder Surprise Maxi, Kinder Mini Eggs and Schokobons, regardless of batch or expiry date are affected. The Arlon plant makes up about 7 percent of the total Kinder products manufactured globally on a yearly basis.

The Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) said the decision to suspend operations was made based on findings from an investigation, which is continuing, and because information provided by Ferrero was “incomplete.”

FASFC, also known as AFSCA and FAVV, said it would monitor the steps taken by Ferrero and only authorize reopening of the site when it is clear that all food safety rules and requirements have been met.