Maud Descamps edited by Gauthier Delomez 3:53 p.m., April 13, 2022

While Ferrero recalled its Kinder products suspected of containing traces of salmonella in early April, the British health authority had already warned the chocolate maker of possible contamination twelve days before.

On Europe 1, the Foodwatch association wonders about this delay and demands accountability from the manufacturer.

Ferrero in turmoil, a few days before the Easter holidays.

Nearly 150 cases of salmonellosis have been detected in nine European countries, including France, in Kinder brand products contaminated with salmonella.

If the French health authority reacted recently, its British counterpart had already warned the manufacturer from March 23 of possible contamination.

It was only 12 days later, on April 4, that the manufacturer took the decision to recall its chocolates.

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The Foodwatch association estimates that during these 12 days, contamination with salmonella continued concerning the five categories of chocolate in the viewfinder of the health authorities.

For Ingrid Kragl, of the Foodwatch association, Ferrero must demonstrate greater transparency.

“He will have to be held accountable because we want to know what they did and what they did not do, and that it does not happen again”, she explains to the microphone from Europe 1.

Products that invaded the shelves for Easter

The association's journalist also wonders: "Why does it take so long? Because in the meantime, the children have consumed the products, and it's just before Easter. So these products are invading the shelves, they are everywhere."

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Last week, Ferrero admitted that traces of salmonella had been detected at its factory in Arlon, Belgium, as early as December 15.

The manufacturer then blocked all manufactured products.

If the Belgian justice opened an investigation on Monday to establish possible responsibilities, there remain many unanswered questions, in particular why in Germany, the withdrawal of Kinder products also concerns those sold at Christmas time, and not in France.

Europe 1 has asked Ferrero, who has not responded yet.