"Ferrero acknowledges that there were internal failures, causing delays in retrieving and sharing information within the time limits set. This impacted the speed and efficiency of investigations," the group acknowledged in a statement. .

The Belgian food safety agency (AFSCA) on Friday ordered the production stoppage of the Kinder chocolate factory at the origin of these contaminations, deploring "the incomplete information" provided by the confectionery giant Ferrero.

"After investigations (...) and following the findings of recent hours that the information provided by Ferrero is incomplete, the Agency is today withdrawing authorization from the Ferrero production plant in Arlon", she said in a press release, also ordering the recall of all products in the Kinder range from the site.

"With immediate effect, the entire production of Kinder Surprise, Kinder Mini Eggs, Kinder Surprise Maxi 100g and Kinder Schoko-Bons manufactured in Arlon, is recalled", confirms Ferrero.

"The factory will only reopen once the authorities have certified it," he said.

"The Arlon plant represents approximately 7% of the total volume of Kinder products manufactured worldwide over one year," adds the manufacturer in its press release.

Two weeks before Easter, the Italian confectionery giant launched several recall campaigns in Europe, but also in the United States where no case has been declared, however.

Ferrero admitted having detected salmonella contamination of its products on December 15 at its factory in Belgium Ole SPATA dpa/AFP/Archives

Salmonellosis is an important cause of death from food poisoning.

Its symptoms appear on average after one to three days of incubation.

They are most often those of sometimes acute gastroenteritis: diarrhea and abdominal cramps, slight fever, even vomiting.

Massive recalls in Europe

According to the latest report from Public Health France on Tuesday, 21 cases of salmonellosis have been identified by the National Reference Center for Salmonella at the Institut Pasteur in France.

Out of 16 cases questioned, 8 people were hospitalized, all since discharged, and no death has been reported.

On the same day, a spokesman for the British authorities told AFP that they had counted 63 cases of salmonella contamination in the United Kingdom.

Ferrero says its investigation has shown "a genotypic match" between reported salmonella cases and its Arlon plant.

The Italian group also acknowledged having detected salmonella contamination of its products in this factory in Belgium on December 15.

At that time, the company had identified a filter at the outlet of the two raw material tanks as the source of the contamination and had removed it.

All "finished and semi-finished" products produced in this factory in the five days before December 15 had been blocked.

In recent days, the massive recalls of Buitoni pizzas (Nestlé group) and these Kinder chocolates have raised questions about food safety in France and Europe, which relies heavily on the self-control of food companies.

Following the detection of salmonella on December 15, the group claims to have reinforced its controls and carried out "more than 2,000 tests" in January.

The NGO Foodwatch regretted the weakness of the penalties incurred by defaulting companies.

"This type of case rarely goes to court. Manufacturers too often get away with it with impunity", she denounced, wishing for "dissuasive and exemplary sanctions, so that all operators take their responsibilities" .

In France, the group has set up a toll-free number (08 00 65 36 53) "for any information concerning the ongoing recall of Kinder products", as well as an email address (contact.fr@ferrero.com).

The manufacturer specifies receiving “nearly 20,000 calls per hour at Ferrero in France.

© 2022 AFP