Ferrero recognizes “internal failures “. After the shutdown of its Kinder chocolate factory in Belgium, suspected of being the source of cases of salmonellosis, the manufacturer presented its apologies on Friday April 8. to all its consumers and business partners”,
The Belgian food safety agency (Afsca) announced on Friday April 8 that it had ordered the cessation of production at the Ferrero factory in Arlon, deploring “incomplete information” supplied by Italian confectionery giant Ferrero.
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“For several weeks, more than a hundred cases of salmonellosis have been identified in Europe”indicated the Afsca underlining that a « lien » established at the end of March between these poisonings and the factory “has since been confirmed”.
Afsca expands product recall
“After investigations (…) 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, which also orders the recall of all products in the Kinder range from the site.
“This comprehensive product recall concerns all products of the Kinder Surprise, Kinder Surprise Maxi, Kinder Mini Eggs, Schoko-bons type, regardless of the batches or expiry dates”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 continues
The investigation at Ferrero continues, said the AFSCA by calling on consumers not to consume any of the products in question.
The decision to suspend the activities of the Arlon plant has been taken “in order to clarify the situation”commented the Belgian Minister of Agriculture. “A decision like this is never taken lightly. but current circumstances require it”.