Chocolate is a big deal around Easter and is found in Easter baskets and candy dishes in many homes. However, you may want to check your candy stash if you are a fan of Ferrero’s Kinder chocolate products. Kinder chocolate products have been recalled across Europe and North America because of a Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak at a Belgian plant. As of April 8, there have been 142 salmonella cases in eight European countries.
The Salmonella outbreak in the Arlon, Belgium factory forced recalls in eleven countries. The plant closed production following notice of the contamination. The initial recall of products was limited to nine European nations before expanding to include the U.S. and Canada.
There has been confusion about which Kinder products to avoid in the United States. The first press release from Ferrero, the producer of Kinder, claimed two products should be discarded or returned. The recall included Kinder’s Happy Moments Chocolate Assortment and the Mix Chocolate Treats Basket.
The recall has since expanded to include other Kinder products possibly imported into the U.S. Ferrero released a list of products that could be contaminated. The list consists of Kinder Surprise, Mini Eggs, Kinder Surprise Maxi 100g, and Kinder Schokobons.
The recall comes after Ferrero admitted there had been a breakdown in communication between discovering the Salmonella outbreak and informing the public. Ferrero revealed it had reported Salmonella cases linked to its Kinder products in the UK, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, France, and Germany. So far, no claims of Salmonella have been reported in North America. Ferrero says it has acted out of an abundance of caution to protect its customers from harm.
The European Center for Disease Control and Prevention has asked retailers to remove all Kinder products from shelves across Europe. Ferrero U.S.A., Inc. reminds customers that the recall only pertains to the Arlon, Belgium plant products. Products labeled with the following verbiage are safe for consumption:
EXCL. DIST. FERRERO U.S.A., INC.
PARSIPPANY, NJ 07054
The Arlon plant is responsible for 7% of the Kinder products sold worldwide. The plant has yet to reopen as investigations into the Salmonella outbreak continue. The plant will only be allowed to reopen when the local authorities certify it is safe for operation.
Consumers who have purchased the affected products should not consume them and may contact the Ferrero customer service line Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, at 1-800-688-3552 or via https://www.ferreronorthamerica.com/contact-US-residents for a refund.
