Ferrero has informed Belgian authorities that it has found Salmonella at the site that was behind a major outbreak in 2022.
The confectionery company notified the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) of the Salmonella detection in the environment of the Arlon factory. It is not clear when the Salmonella positive was found, when authorities were told or whether it is the same type that was behind the outbreak.
FASFC, also known as AFSCA and FAVV, said an investigation is ongoing but no products have tested positive and based on currently available information, no end product which could potentially be contaminated has reached the consumer.
“It goes without saying that if FASFC finds facts or learns of information during this investigation which requires additional measures in order to guarantee consumer protection, it will not hesitate to take them without delay,” said an agency statement.
Local media reported that Ferrero had stopped affected production lines while it looked into the root cause of the positive result.
In 2022, a monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak from Kinder chocolate was revealed that sickened more than 450 people. Children were particularly affected and many of those ill were hospitalized. People fell sick between December 2021 and June 2022. The UK had the most patients followed by France. There were four cases in Canada and one in the United States.
Operations at the factory were suspended in April 2022, which led to the recall of products made there. Potentially implicated chocolate was distributed to more than 110 countries. In May, Ferrero asked to be allowed to produce again and in June, FASFC gave conditional approval for the plant to restart. In September 2022, the company received the all-clear after no problems were found during the initial approval period.
An investigation into the incident by the Luxembourg Public Prosecutor’s Office is ongoing.
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