Cases related to the salmonella outbreak at a factory of the confectionery group Ferrero in Arlon, Belgium, became known in Austria on Tuesday: according to the Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), an analysis by the reference center for salmonella between January In To all It is likely that six people, including five children between the ages of three and six, were infected with the same strain of Salmonella in March and March.
Genetic testing has already been completed for five isolates, and final checks are still underway in one case, reported AGES, which has since been commissioned by the Department of Health to clarify the nationwide outbreak of foodborne illness. According to EU authorities, the salmonella outbreak around Ferrero chocolate products may be related to the processing of buttermilk at the affected factory in Belgium.
Bacteria discovered in buttermilk tank
During the factory operator’s own checks, the bacterium Salmonella typhimurium was discovered in a buttermilk tank in December 2021, the EU health authority ECDC announced on Tuesday about its ongoing investigations. The company has implemented hygiene measures and increased sampling and testing of the products and the processing environment. After negative salmonella tests, the chocolate products were then sold throughout Europe and worldwide.
In a joint assessment of the outbreak, ECDC and the EU food safety authority EFSA wrote that last Friday, 119 confirmed and 31 suspected cases had been registered in a total of ten European countries – excluding Austria. The Salmonella strain (multi-resistant S. typhimurium monophasic) is associated with products of the Ferrero Kinder Schokolade brand, manufactured in Arlon, Belgium. The first positive sample was taken on December 21 in Great Britain, where an increase in infection cases was reported in mid-February.
Production stopped in Belgian factory
The Belgian regulator Afsca temporarily halted production of Ferrero at the Arlon factory on Friday. The Belgian public prosecutor is investigating the company. Hundreds of cases of salmonella across Europe had previously been linked to sweets produced there. Australia also recalled children’s products made in Belgium last week.
Shortly before Easter, the confectionery manufacturer Ferrero also recalled numerous products from New Zealand due to the possible risk of salmonella. The Food Safety Authority on Tuesday ordered that all children’s products made in Belgium be removed from the market in the Pacific country.
Several children had to be hospitalized
Most of those infected are children under the age of ten, many of whom had to be hospitalized. The situation will be closely monitored, ECDC and EFSA wrote. Further investigations at the plant are needed to identify the cause, timing and possible factors behind the contamination. Salmonella can cause diarrhea, vomiting and fever.
The recall includes Kinder Surprise (Maxi), Kinder Schokobons (white), Kinder Mini Eggs, Kinder (Maxi) Mix and Kinder Happy Moments products manufactured and marketed at this factory. Since none of these Ferrero products (the list of recalled products can be found HERE) is currently in stores, AGES once again strongly advises against eating any purchased products under any circumstances.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
