The popular Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs might cause salmonella, as over a hundred outbreaks in Belgium and Europe were linked to the Ferrero brand chocolates. Belgian food agency FASFC strongly urges people not to consume five chocolate products from the brand.
It concerns the following products, produced in the Ferrero factory in Aarlen, Belgium:
- Kinder Surprise 20g and 3x20g with an expiry date between 11/07/22 and 7/10/22
- Kinder Surprise Maxi with an expiry date between 10/08/22 and 10/09/22
- Schoko Vouchers with an expiry date between 10/08/22 and 10/09/22
- Kinder Mini Eggs with an expiry date between 10/08/22 and 10/09/22
The federal food agency reported about 20 cases of salmonella in Belgium due to contaminated Kinder Surprise eggs on Wednesday, spokesperson Jean-Sébastien Walhin said. The FASFC is further investigating the cause of the problem and is also carrying out checks in the shops.
According to the Swedish food agency Livsmedelsverket, a total of 125 salmonella infections have been identified in European countries so far. In Sweden itself, there are currently four cases. In France, 21 children have been reported sick with salmonella.
In the UK, more than 60 people have been infected after eating Kinder Surprise eggs produced in Arlon. The majority of cases concern children under the age of five, the British National Health Service reported. The Irish food agency reported 10 cases in Ireland.
As the products are popular with young children and Easter is approaching, the FASFC requests that parents and teachers check whether they have these products in their possession and to ensure that they are not consumed.
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Since the first cases were reported, the FASFC has been carrying out “additional and targeted checks” at Ferrero in Arlon. “An investigation is underway into a number of suspected cases,” the agency said in a press release.
Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause a salmonellosis infection. Though there are different types of salmonella, it usually results in a common infection that heals without treatment. If symptoms are severe, a doctor should be consulted to initiate treatment.
Possible symptoms of salmonellosis include fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhoea within 6 to 72 hours after consumption of the contaminated food. Young children, pregnant women, people with reduced resistance and the elderly are at greater risk of developing symptoms.
