The presence of the bacterium was discovered on Monday "in a production batch manufactured in Wieze".

"Our quality experts have identified lecithin as the source of the contamination," the wholesaler said in a statement.

A spokesperson told AFP that "most of the contaminated products are still in the Wieze factory" and that the group was in the process of contacting all of its customers (large industrialists, craftsmen) to ensure that there is "no contamination at the consumer level".

At the end of the afternoon on Thursday, all "its customers except one" have already confirmed that there is "no danger" for their consumers, said the group's spokesperson, who is awaiting a response from one last customer.

All chocolate products made at this factory after June 25 have been blocked and "all chocolate production lines will be cleaned and disinfected before production restarts," the statement insisted.

The factory is located about thirty kilometers north-west of Brussels.

The FASFC went there and said it had opened an investigation to "gather all the information in order to trace the contamination".

This announcement comes a few weeks after a case of chocolates contaminated with salmonella in the Ferrero factory in Arlon (south of Belgium), the manufacturer of Kinder chocolates.

Belgian health authorities announced on June 17 that they had given the green light to restart the Italian giant's factory for a three-month test period.

"Food safety is of the utmost importance for Barry Callebaut and this contamination is quite exceptional. We have a well-defined food safety charter and procedures", assures the Swiss group.

Due to its wholesale activity, its products first go to a manufacturer and go through several stages before reaching the final consumer.

Barry Callebaut supplies cocoa and chocolate preparations to many companies in the food chain, ranging from industry giants such as Hershey, Mondelez, Nestlé or Unilever to pastry professionals.

The group, which employs more than 13,000 people, has more than 60 production sites worldwide.

The chocolate production plant of the Swiss group Barry Callebaut, on June 30, 2022 in Wieze, Belgium Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD AFP

Its annual sales amounted to 2.2 million tonnes during its staggered 2020/2021 financial year (ended August 31) for a turnover of 7.2 billion francs in turnover and a net profit of 384 5 million francs.

On the stock market, Barry Callebaut shares ended the session down 2.02% to 2,130 Swiss francs.

© 2022 AFP