The Belgian authorities have ordered the closure of a Kinder chocolate factory suspected to be behind a sudden wave of salmonella cases in several European and even US cities.
The Italian confectionary company Ferrero, which owns Kinder, suffered a major blow due to this health concern especially considering how this comes at the height of Easter holiday season.
This means that the factory’s entire production of Kinder Surprise, Kinder Mini Eggs, Kinder Surprise Maxi 100g and Kinder Shoko-Bons was halted for the time being.
Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause symptoms including diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps in humans, and is one of the most common food-borne infections. Most cases are caused by the ingestion of food contaminated with animal or human faeces.
Kinder chocolates, most notably surprise eggs, are increasingly sought after during this period. Ferrero issued a statement expressing ‘sincere apologies’ for the salmonella cases. It acknowledged the suspension of operations of the factory in the south-east town of Arlon.
The food safety authority of Belgium confirmed that the plant was ordered to shut down following the findings, with information provided by Ferrero being deemed incomplete. It also recalled the entire factory production of the Kinder brand.
With the site set to reopen once ‘it has been concluded that the establishment complies with all food safety rules and requirements’, Belgian agriculture minister David Clarinval said that such a decision is never taken lightly.
Ferrero did acknowledge internal inefficiencies which created delays in retrieving information. The company also recalled certain varieties of Kinder chocolates in the US after they were made in Belgium.
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