In the middle of the debate is the French subsidiary Nestle, because – as the company announced today Friday (5/7) – it is accused in the case of contaminated pizzas that are suspected to be the death of two children.
Specifically, as the company said in a statement – without giving details – a prosecution was brought against the unit that manages the factory in the north of France that manufactured Buitoni Fraîch’Up frozen pizza as well as Nestle France.
In fact, French prosecutors launched an investigation in May 2022 into involuntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter after several customers fell ill after eating batches of Buitoni Fraich’Up frozen pizza contaminated with E.coli bacteria.
Also, according to Le Figaro, it is suspected that the pizzas will make many children sick, and they are afraid of kidney damage – for example.
A company spokesman said today that prosecutors have filed charges against Nestle France and Societe des Produits Alimentaires de Caudry, the subsidiary that oversees the factory where the tainted pizzas were made. The charges are “manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter and fraud”., as he explained. Nestle suspended production of the contaminated products in March 2022.
An ongoing investigation is ongoing and no decision has been made, therefore, tthe indictment is preliminary.
“Nestle France intends to take full responsibility in the case. We hope that these legal proceedings will help to fully clarify the circumstances of this dramatic event and bring comfort to the victims and their families,” the company said in a statement.
“At this stage, our investigation and analyzes show that the most likely source of contamination appears to be the flour used in the particular production line dedicated exclusively to the production of Fraîch’Up pizzas. We are stepping up testing and monitoring of ingredients, particularly for E. coli, to ensure this does not happen again. We have also set up a fund to provide some immediate support to families and individuals affected by the 2022 Haemolytic Hypertension Syndrome (HUS) outbreak in France, managed by a local independent organisation. Receipt of financial support from this fund will not affect the right of anyone affected by HUS to claim compensation. After the outcome of the case, Buitoni will fully accept his responsibilities. Safety and quality are always our highest priority,” the announcement concludes.
As reported by Le Figaro, French authorities were informed in February 2022 of an increase in cases of kidney failure in children linked to E. coli infection. Most of the children had hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which usually results in acute kidney failure and serious blood problems, with the possibility of coma or death.
According to the prefecture, health checks found “the presence of rodents” and “lack of maintenance and cleaning of production areas”.
A year after the case, Nestlé announced the permanent closure of the Caudry factory, which it had partially reopened a few months earlier, citing falling sales.