UPDATED: Ferrero suspends operations at Belgium plant amid salmonella investigation
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April 8 (Reuters) – Italian confectionery group Ferrero said on Friday it is suspending operations at its plant in Arlon, Belgium, after Europe’s health agency started investigating dozens of reported and suspected cases of salmonella linked with eating some of its chocolates.
Earlier, the Italian confectionery group Ferrero voluntarily recalled some of its Kinder chocolates from the American shelves for a potential link with salmonella contamination.
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, Ferrero North America said.
The voluntarily 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.
“While there are no reports of illness in the United States to date, Ferrero is voluntarily recalling the products out of an abundance of caution due to reported cases of salmonella in consumers that consumed products in Europe that were manufactured at the same facility,” the statement said.
Europe’s health agency European Centre for Disease prevention and Control have already started investigating dozens of reported and suspected cases of salmonella linked with eating chocolate in at least nine countries.
The salmonella bacteria can cause serious and severe infections, especially in children or elderly people and others with weak immune system.
Probable or confirmed cases on Salmonella linked with eating chocolates has been found in Britain, France, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden and Norway.
