Recall of all Kinder products manufactured at the Arlon factory in Belgium following cases of salmonellosis

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Shutdown of the Kinder factory in Belgium following cases of salmonellosis in several European countries


Published on :04/08/2022 - 20:29

Two weeks before Easter, the Italian manufacturer Ferrero on Friday April 8 acknowledged "internal failures" and apologized after the shutdown of its Kinder chocolate factory in Belgium, which caused cases of salmonellosis in several European countries. Europe.

Text by:
RFI

The Kinder factory in Belgium is shut down. The Italian manufacturer Ferrero had to stop the production of confectionery on the site at the request of the Belgian authorities. It is this production site which is the source of hundreds of cases of salmonellosis in France and the United Kingdom. This disease is an important cause of death by food poisoning which can cause diarrhea and abdominal cramps, slight fever, even vomiting.

With our correspondent in Brussels , Jean-Jacques Héry

The factory is located in Arlon, in the south of Belgium, on the border with Luxembourg. Each year, 7% of the world volumes of Kinder products come out of it. For the Belgian Food Safety Agency, which ordered the shutdown of the site, the link between the confectionery produced on site and the hundred cases of salmonellosis identified is confirmed.

The factory manufactures the full range of Kinder products: Kinder Surprise, Kinder Surprise Max, Kinder Mini Eggs, and Schoko-bons. So many references consumed by children who will all be withdrawn from the shelves one week before Easter, and this " regardless of the batches or the expiry dates ", specifies the Belgian Food Safety Agency, which does not want to take any risks.

While the Agency considers that it has received incomplete information from the Ferrero group, the latter defends itself by citing “ internal failures ” with “ delays in sharing information ” after the detection of salmonella.

For the moment, the health investigation continues. The factory will not reopen until the authorities have certified it.

https://www.rfi.fr/fr/europe/20220408-arr%C3%AAt-de-l-usine-kinder-en-belgique-suite-%C3%A0-des-cas-de-salmonellose-dans-plusieurs-pays-d-euro

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Recall of all Kinder products manufactured at the Arlon factory, closed by the Belgian authorities

Health alerts Press releases and kits Health

Investigations are being carried out in parallel by the Belgian health authorities, in conjunction with their European counterparts, within the factory in Arlon, Belgium, where these products are manufactured. Following these investigations and the findings of recent hours that the information provided by Ferrero is incomplete, the Belgian authorities have today withdrawn the factory's production authorization. All products from the Kinder range from the Ferrero production site in Arlon are also recalled today.

All the references concerned were already the subject of a withdrawal-recall in France since April 4, for certain expiry dates. From now on, all Kinder brand products from this factory are recalled, regardless of their expiry date:
Kinder Surprise 20g (by one, by three, by four and by six) and 100g;
Kinder Schoko-Bons milk 125g, 150g, 200g, 300g, 330g, 350g, 480g and 500g and Kinder Schoko-Bons White 200g and 300g;
Kinder Happy Moments 191g, 242g, 347g and 400g;
Kinder Mini Eggs hazelnut, cocoa, milk and Kinder Mini Eggs mix;
Kinder Mix: Bag 193g, Basket 150g, Plush 133g, Bucket 198g, Car 125g.

People holding these products are asked not to consume them and to throw them away.

The list and details of the products concerned are available at rappel.conso.gouv.fr . Other Kinder products are not affected by this recall.
Provided with a photo of the packaging with the product references (Best Before Date, barcode number), consumers can call the
telephone number provided by the company to obtain a refund (0800 653 653) or contact her at the following address: contact.fr@ferrero.com .

The DGCCRF monitors, in regular contact with the FASFC (Belgian federal agency for the safety of the food chain), the continuation of the investigations and ensures the effectiveness of the withdrawal-recall measures implemented in France.

Food poisoning caused by salmonella results in gastrointestinal disorders (abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea and sometimes vomiting) often accompanied by fever within forty-eight hours following consumption of the contaminated products. Symptoms of salmonellosis are relatively mild, and in the majority of cases patients will recover without special treatment within 7 days. In some cases these symptoms may be aggravated in young children, immunocompromised subjects, pregnant women and the elderly.People, and in particular those at risk listed above, who have consumed the products mentioned above and who present these symptoms, are invited to consult their doctor without delay by informing him of this consumption. If there are no symptoms there is no need to worry.

In addition, in order to limit person-to-person transmission (especially in households with young children), it is recommended to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after going to the toilet, after changing your child, and before cooking.

For more information:
Press release from Ferrero: 08/04/22 - Ferrero announces the temporary suspension of its activities in Arlon, Belgium
Press release from Ferrero: 07/04/22 - New information on the recall of certain batches of Kinder
Press release from Ferrero: 05/04/22 - Ferrero is voluntarily recalling certain batches of Kinder Surprise, Schoko-Bons and Mini eggs in France

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Press contacts:
Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Prevention of Fraud
communication@dgccrf.finances.gouv.fr
Directorate General for Health
presse-dgs@sante.gouv.fr
Public Health France
presse@santepubliquefrance.fr

https://solidarites-sante.gouv.fr/actualites/presse/communiques-de-presse/article/rappel-de-l-entierete-des-produits-kinder-fabriques-a-l-usine-d-arlon-fermee?var_mode=calcul&fbclid=IwAR04T9wY4-LqfXeaeaOyNVYOUrXkDePW-S3Op0LibhrlWr-1yjR0f8kvtNE

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UK-

Further Kinder products recalled following an outbreak of salmonella

NEWS

Recall of Kinder products produced at a factory in Belgium extended to include all best-before dates as a precautionary action following an outbreak of salmonella.
8 April 2022

View Further Kinder products recalled following an outbreak of salmonellaas PDF(Opens in a new window)

As a result of the continued investigation into an outbreak of salmonella cases linked to Kinder products, Ferrero has extended its recall to include all Kinder products manufactured at their Arlon site in Belgium between June and the present date.

These include Kinder Surprise, Kinder Mini Eggs, Kinder Surprise 100g and Kinder Schokobons.

The new update means all the products in the recall notice, regardless of best-before date, should not be eaten. The previous recall only covered products with best-before dates up to 7 October 2022.

Full details of the products affected can be found in the latest product recall information notice (8 April). The packaging of recalled products may not refer to the Belgium factory where they were produced and may include a different contact address, so it is important that consumers check their products against the list of products in the recall notice.

Ferrero has suspended all operations at its Arlon plant to aid the ongoing investigation and will only recommence operations once the authorities are satisfied that food manufactured there is safe.

The FSA and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) are concerned about delays in Ferrero’s sharing of information during the investigation, which has contributed to time gaps in the recall process and a number of separate recalls having to be undertaken.

However, the FSA and FSS welcome Ferrero’s decision today to extend its precautionary recall and its commitment to supporting the continuing investigation into the root cause of this outbreak.

Tina Potter, Head of Incidents Food Standards Agency, said:

“Consumers should follow the advice in the latest recall notice, which details all of the products which may pose a risk.

“We have emphasised to the business and the authorities in Belgium the importance of taking as precautionary an approach to their recall as possible and trust that they will continue to put consumers’ needs first in any action they take.

“We continue to work closely with UK and international partners, including the UK Health Security Agency and Food Standards Scotland, to establish how this outbreak started and make sure all necessary steps have been taken to prevent further illness.”

Dr Lesley Larkin, Surveillance Lead, Gastrointestinal Pathogens and Food Safety (One Health) at UKHSA, said:

“We welcome the co-operation of Ferrero International S.A in instituting the recall and withdrawal of a number of confectionary products linked to an ongoing outbreak of Salmonella in the UK. We are working closely with the company as well as the Food Standards Agency, Food Standards Scotland, Public Health Scotland, Public Health Wales, Public Health Agency Northern Ireland and international public health and food safety authorities to ensure that the risk to the public is minimised.

“Symptoms of salmonellosis typically resolve themselves within a few days. However, symptoms can be more severe, especially in young children and those with weakened immune systems. Anybody with concerns that they have symptoms of salmonellosis should contact their GP or call NHS 111. Salmonella can be spread from person to person, so anyone affected should adhere to good hygiene practice such as washing hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and avoiding handling food for others where possible, if you have symptoms.”

More advice and guidance on salmonella (Opens in a new window)is available online.

https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/news/further-kinder-products-recalled-following-an-outbreak-of-salmonella

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USA -

COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT

Ferrero Voluntarily Recalls Kinder® Happy Moments Chocolate Assortment and Kinder® Mix Chocolate Treats Basket Because of Possible Health Risk


When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company's announcement as a public service. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.


Summary

Company Announcement Date:April 07, 2022FDA Publish Date:April 07, 2022Product Type:Food & BeveragesReason for Announcement:SalmonellaCompany Name:Ferrero USA, Inc.Brand Name:KinderProduct Description:Happy Moments Milk Chocolate and Crispy Wafers Assortment & Mix Chocolate Treats Basket

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Company Announcement


Ferrero U.S.A., Inc. of Parsippany, New Jersey is voluntarily recalling its Kinder ® Happy Moments Chocolate Assortment and Kinder ® Mix Chocolate Treats basket, because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The voluntary recall is for two products in the U.S.

14.1 OZ (400g) square box with lid	5.3 OZ (152g) cardboard basket
July 18, 2022 (back panel)	July 30, 2022 (bottom of package)
48RUP334; 48RUP335; 48RUP 336; 48RUP337 (back panel)	03L 018AR – 306 (bottom of package)
09800 52025 (right side panel)	09800 60209 (bottom of package)
Costco in the Bay Area and Northern Nevada and BJ’s Wholesale Club stores	14 Big Y Supermarket locations in Connecticut and Massachusetts

The products are being recalled because they were manufactured in a facility where Salmonella typhimurium was detected. While there are no reports of illness in the United States to date, Ferrero is voluntarily recalling the products out of an abundance of caution due to reported cases of Salmonella in consumers that consumed products in Europe that were manufactured at the same facility.

No other Kinder products produced for the U.S. market are included in this recall.

Consumers who have purchased the affected product should not eat the product and may contact the Ferrero customer service line Monday - Friday 9am-6pm EST at 1-800-688-3552 or via https://www.ferreronorthamerica.com/...t-US-residentsExternal Link Disclaimer for product refund.

Ferrero deeply regrets this situation. We take food safety extremely seriously and every step we have taken has been guided by our commitment to consumer care. We will continue to work cooperatively with the Food and Drug Administration to address this matter.

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Company Contact Information

Consumers: 1-800-688-3552Media:Cheryll Forsatz (732) 584-4146

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Product Photos

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https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-m...-mix-chocolate

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Translation Google

Salmonellosis outbreak

Belgian justice opens an investigation after Kinder's recall

The chocolate factory based in Arlon in Belgium has been closed since Friday following salmonella contamination of its products.

Posted today at 6:26 p.m.

Belgian justice has opened an investigation to establish possible responsibilities within the Kinder chocolate factory (Ferrero group) located in Arlon, the prosecutor's office of the province of Luxembourg (south) announced on Monday. Cases of salmonellosis have been detected in several European countries.

“I confirm the opening of a judicial investigation,” said Anne-Sophie Gilmot, spokesperson for the prosecution, in a press release, without specifying which facts were targeted. “The company has seen its authorization withdrawn, it is now up to the courts to carry out its investigation,” Jean-Sébastien Wahlin, of the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain, told AFP ( Afsca).

The Afsca had forced this production site of the Italian confectionery giant Ferrero to cease its activity on Friday. In question: its lack of transparency on an incident that occurred in mid-December which caused contamination with salmonella of products from the Kinder range.

This control authority pointed the finger at the "incomplete" information provided by Ferrero after the incident, ordering the recall by the manufacturer of all Kinder products from the site.

"Internal Failures"

The Italian giant, known for Kinder chocolate eggs but also Nutella spread, acknowledged “internal failures” which led to “delays in retrieving and sharing information within the time limits”. “The Arlon plant represents approximately 7% of the total volume of Kinder products manufactured worldwide over one year,” he pointed out.

Its employees, on leave this week, could then have to be placed on temporary unemployment. The site currently employs around 900 people on average over the year, a figure which fluctuates according to the seasons, according to a union source joined by AFP.

No death

According to Afsca, "more than a hundred cases of salmonellosis have been identified in Europe" for several weeks, and the link established at the end of March between these poisonings and the Ferrero factory in Arlon "has been confirmed since then".

The Afsca explained that it had been alerted by the British authorities who suspected the Belgian Ferrero site of being the source of the poisoning, which the company confirmed.

Last Tuesday, a spokesperson for the British authorities told AFP that they had recorded 63 cases of salmonella contamination in the United Kingdom. Twenty cases have also been identified in France. No deaths have been reported.

Salmonellosis, caused by bacteria called salmonella, is a leading 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.

TTY

https://www.24heures.ch/la-justice-b...r-431520250933

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Canada -

Food recall warning

Certain Kinder brand chocolate products recalled due to possible Salmonella


Brand(s)

Last updated
2022-04-11

Summary

Product
Certain chocolate products
Issue
Food - Microbial Contamination - Salmonella
What to do

Do not consume the recalled products
























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Affected products

Filter items
Showing 1 to 23 of 23 entries
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Kinder	Advent Calendar	182 g	0 62020 01557 0	All best before dates up to and including May 20, 2022
Kinder	Advent Calendar	182 g	0 62020 01561 7	All best before dates up to and including May 20, 2022
Kinder	Advent Calendar	127 g	0 62020 01562 4	All best before dates up to and including March 2, 2022
Kinder	Advent Calendar	351 g	0 62020 02351 3	All best before dates up to and including April 1, 2022
Kinder	Happy Moments - Kinder Confections Assortment	191 g	0 62020 01571 6	All best before dates up to and including July 8, 2022
Kinder	Happy Moments - Kinder Confections Assortment	191 g	0 62020 01575 4	All best before dates up to and including August 7, 2022
Kinder	Mini Eggs	182 g	0 62020 02573 9	All best before dates up to and including May 20, 2022
Kinder	Mini Eggs	182 g	0 62020 02576 0	All best before dates up to and including September 3, 2022
Kinder	Mini Eggs	110 g	0 62020 02582 1	All best before dates up to and including August 18, 2022
Kinder	Mix - 7 Easter treats	116 g	0 62020 01616 4	All best before dates up to and including September 3, 2022
Kinder	Mix - 7 Holiday treats	116 g	0 62020 01615 7	All best before dates up to and including May 20, 2022
Kinder	Mix - Egg Hunt Kit	186 g	0 62020 01627 0	All best before dates up to and including July 8, 2022
Kinder	Mix - Egg Hunt Kit	186 g	0 62020 01629 4	All best before dates up to and including July 8, 2022
Kinder	Schoko-Bons	200 g	0 62020 02763 4	All best before dates up to and including October 17, 2022
Kinder	Schoko-Bons	200 g	0 62020 02765 8	All best before dates up to and including August 2, 2022
Kinder	Surprise	100 g	0 62020 02578 4	All best before dates up to and including June 28, 2022
Kinder	Surprise	100 g	0 62020 02605 7	All best before dates up to and including May 14, 2022
Kinder	Surprise	100 g	0 62020 02625 5	All best before dates up to and including November 29, 2022
Kinder	Surprise, Disney Frozen	100 g	0 62020 02601 9	All best before dates up to and including July 24, 2022
Kinder	Surprise, Dreamworks Trolls	100 g	0 62020 02610 1	All best before dates up to and including August 28, 2022
Kinder	Surprise, Miraculous	100 g	0 62020 02603 3	All best before dates up to and including November 29, 2022
Kinder	Surprise, Natoons	100 g	0 62020 02572 2	All best before dates up to and including October 28, 2022
Kinder	Surprise, The Smurfs	100 g	0 62020 02608 8	All best before dates up to and including August 28, 2022

...

Issue


Ferrero Canada Ltd. is recalling certain Kinder brand chocolate products from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination.

The recalled products have been sold nationally.

What you should do

• If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, call your doctor
• Check to see if you have the recalled products in your home
• Do not consume the recalled products
• Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections. Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

Learn more:

• Learn more about the health risks
• Sign up for recall notifications by email and follow us on social media
• View our detailed explanation of the food safety investigation and recall process
• Report a food safety or labelling concern

...

https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/certain-kinder-brand-chocolate-products-recalled-due-possible-salmonella-0

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Translation Google

Cases of salmonellosis also in Switzerland

Twenty cases of intestinal disorders will be examined to determine if they are linked to Ferrero chocolate products.

Posted today at 1:17 p.m.

After cases of salmonellosis, especially in children, have been reported for weeks in European countries, cases have also appeared in Switzerland. The Confederation has established a link between these cases and the international epidemic.

The Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (OSAV) said on Friday that it had not yet been able to establish whether this epidemic of infectious diarrhea was linked to chocolate products for children from the Italian group Ferrero. The investigation is ongoing.

About two dozen cases will be examined in more detail to clarify this link, the Federal Office of Public Health (OFSP) told the Keystone-ATS news agency. Additional laboratory analyzes will be carried out for this purpose. A survey was also launched among the people concerned.

Recalled products

Ferrero Switzerland has recalled products produced in a now closed factory in Belgium. European authorities have established a link between dozens of cases of salmonellosis and foodstuffs manufactured in this Ferrero factory. Children's products include Kinder Surprise and Kinder Choco-Bons.

In collaboration with the competent cantonal authority, Ferrero Switzerland had recalled a total of nearly forty products due to possible contamination, the Federal Consumer Affairs Office said a little over a week ago.

Forty products recalled

According to the FOAG, food businesses are required to withdraw their products from the market or recall them if the foodstuffs imported, manufactured or sold by them present a health hazard or are unsafe.

Several Swiss retailers had already pulled Ferrero's "children's" products from their shelves, including major retailers Coop, Migros, Volg and Aldi, as they confirmed to the Keystone-ATS news agency.

These decisions come as 63 salmonella infections have been discovered in Britain and 21 in France. Fifteen of those infected in France said they had consumed the “Kinder” products concerned.

https://www.24heures.ch/des-cas-de-s...e-675157060215

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France -

Translation Google


International outbreak of salmonellosis in young children linked to the consumption of Kinder brand products. Update on April 20, 2022.

Update on 20/04/22 following the recall of several products from the Kinder range manufactured in a factory in Belgium due to suspected contamination by Salmonella Typhimurium .

Posted on April 21, 2022
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[COLOR=rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.75)]THEMATIC FILE APRIL 21, 2022
Salmonellosis

Non-typhoidal salmonellosis is an infectious disease caused by salmonella which infects the digestive tract. They are usually characterized by gastrointestinal disturbances.


Following the investigations carried out by the Belgian health authorities, together with their English, European and in particular French counterparts, the company Ferrero proceeded on April 5, 2022 to the recall of several Kinder range products manufactured in a factory in Belgium due to suspected contamination by Salmonella Typhimurium . On April 8, 2022, the recall finally affected all Kinder products from this factory, regardless of their expiry date. On April 14, 2022, an update of the recalled products, including the 2021 Christmas Advent Calendars, was released.

Case of salmonellosis in France: update on April 20, 2022

In total, as of 04/19/2022: 42 cases of salmonellosis with a strain belonging to the epidemic have been identified by the National Reference Center (CNR) for salmonella at the Institut Pasteur in France.

The 42 cases are spread over 11 regions: Ile-De-France (7 cases), Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (7 cases), Grand-Est (6 cases), Hauts-de-France (4 cases), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (4 cases), Nouvelle-Aquitaine (3 cases), Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (3 cases), Normandy (3 cases), Brittany (2 cases), Occitanie (2 cases), and Corsica (1 cases), with a median age of 3 years, and concern 22 boys and 20 girls.

Thirty-two cases were able to be questioned by Public Health France. All the cases report, before the onset of their symptoms (which occurred between 20/01 and 23/03/2022), the consumption of chocolates of the brand cited here.

Thirteen people were hospitalized for their salmonellosis, all since discharged. No deaths were reported. Public Health France is continuing its investigations with the families of cases recently reported by the CNR.

The successive withdrawals and recalls of the Kinder brand products concerned, produced by the Belgian factory with its closure by the Belgian authorities, should limit the occurrence in France of new cases of salmonellosis in the coming days/weeks.

To find out the list of products concerned by the withdrawal-recall: https://rappel.conso.gouv.fr/

People who have consumed the products mentioned above and who present symptoms (gastrointestinal disorders, fever within 72 hours of consumption), are invited to consult their doctor without delay, notifying him of this consumption.

In order to limit person-to-person transmission (especially in households with young children), it is recommended to wash your hands well with soap and water after using the toilet, after changing your child, and before to cook.

International situation

1. Monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak (ECDC, 19/04/22)
2. Multi-country outbreak of monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium sequence type (ST) 34 linked to chocolate products (ECDC, 12/04/22)
3. Investigation of an international outbreak of multidrug-resistant monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium associated with chocolate products, EU/EEA and United Kingdom, February to April 2022 (Eurosurveillance, 14/04/22)

See the previous points

1. International outbreak of salmonellosis in young children linked to the consumption of Kinder brand products. Update on April 15, 2022. (news from 04/15/22)
2. International outbreak of salmonellosis in young children linked to the consumption of Kinder brand products. Update on April 12, 2022. (news from 04/14/22)
3. Additional information related to the withdrawal-recall of Kinder brand products due to contamination with Salmonella Typhimurium (DGCCRF, 04/14/22)
4. Recall of all Kinder products manufactured at the Arlon factory, closed by the Belgian authorities (press release of 08/04/22)
5. Additional information related to the withdrawal-recall of Kinder brand products due to contamination with Salmonella Typhimurium (press release of 07/04/22)
6. International outbreak of salmonellosis in young children linked to the consumption of Kinder brand products. Update on April 6, 2022. (news from 07/04/22)
7. Withdrawal-recall of Kinder brand products (Kinder surprise, Kinder surprise Maxi, Schoko-Bons and Kinder Mini Eggs) due to suspected Salmonella Typhimurium infection (press release dated 04/04/22)

https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/les-actualites/2022/epidemie-internationale-de-salmonellose-chez-des-jeunes-enfants-en-lien-avec-la-consommation-de-produits-de-la-marque-kinder.-point-de-situation-au4

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19 April update: Monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak

Epidemiological update

20 Apr 2022


As of 19 April 2022, an outbreak of 187 confirmed and probable cases of monophasic S. Typhimurium (cluster 1) has been identified in the EU/EEA and the United Kingdom.

The outbreak is characterised by an unusually high proportion of children being hospitalised, some with severe clinical symptoms such as bloody diarrhoea. Based on interviews with patients and initial analytical epidemiological studies, specific chocolate products have been identified as the likely route of infection. Affected cases have been identified through advanced molecular typing techniques. As this method of testing is not routinely performed in all countries, some cases may be undetected.

Product recalls have been launched globally and examples of these can be found on several countries web sites including Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, and the UK. The recalls aim to prevent the consumption of products potentially contaminated with Salmonella. Further investigations are being conducted by public health and food safety authorities in countries where cases are reported, to identify the cause and the extent of the contamination, and to ensure contaminated products are not put on the market.

ECDC and EFSA published a rapid outbreak assessment on 12 April 2022. The second strain of monophasic S. Typhimurium in non-human samples (cluster 2), which is mentioned in the published ROA, was found matching with 23 human cases from Belgium (n=5), France (n=5), Germany (n=4), Ireland (n=1), the Netherlands (n=1), and the UK (n=7).

Questions regarding ongoing product recalls should be addressed to national food safety authorities.

Number of confirmed and probable cases* with monophasic S. Typhimurium infection (cluster 1) by country, EU/EEA and the UK, as of 19 April 2022

Country	Confirmed cases	Probable cases	Total cases
Austria	5	1	6
Belgium	7	22	29
Denmark	1	0	1
France	37	0	37
Germany	11	3	14
Ireland	15	0	15
Luxembourg	1	1	2
Netherlands	2	0	2
Norway	1	0	1
Spain	1	2	3
Sweden	4	0	4
Total EU/EEA	85	29	114
United Kingdom	73	0	73
Total	158	29	187

*According to the European outbreak case definition


...

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-events/19-april-update-monophasic-salmonella-typhimurium-outbreak

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Source: https://www.who.int/emergencies/dise...em/2022-DON369

Multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium linked to chocolate products – Europe and the United States of America

27 April 2022


Outbreak at a glance
On 27 March 2022, the United Kingdom notified WHO of a cluster of cases with monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium sequence type 34 infection. Investigations linked the outbreak to chocolate produced in Belgium, which have been distributed to at least 113 countries. A global alert was released by INFOSAN on 10 April, initiating a global product recall. To date, a total of 151 genetically related cases suspected to be linked to the consumption of the implicated chocolate products have been reported from 11 countries. The risk of spread in the WHO European region and globally is assessed as moderate until information is available on the full recall of the products.


Outbreak overview
On 27 March 2022, WHO was informed by the IHR National Focal Point of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the United Kingdom) of a widely distributed cluster of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium(S. Typhimurium) with an unidentified source. Molecular typing confirmed isolation of the bacteria S. Typhimurium sequence typing (ST) 34 and epidemiological evidence has subsequently linked the outbreak to chocolate products from Belgium, which, as of 25 April 2022, have been found to be distributed to at least 113 countriesand territories¹ across all WHO Regions
Monophasic S. Typhimurium matching the human outbreak cases were identified in buttermilk tanks at the Ferrero Corporate plant in Arlon, Belgium in December 2021 and January 2022. After implementing hygiene measures and negative Salmonella testing, the implicated products (all Kinder products manufactured at the implicated facility (Arlon) including Kinder Surprise, Kinder Mini Eggs, Kinder Surprise Maxi 100g and Kinder Schoko-Bons) were distributed across Europe and globally.
According to the analyses of the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the outbreak strain is resistant to six types of antibiotics: penicillins, aminoglycosides (streptomycin, spectinomycin, kanamycin, and gentamycin), phenicols, sulfonamides, trimethoprim, tetracyclines.
As of 25 April 2022, a total of 151 genetically related cases of S. Typhimurium suspected to be linked to the consumption of the implicated chocolate products have been reported from 11 countries (Figure 1): Belgium (26 cases), France (25 cases), Germany (10 cases), Ireland (15 cases), Luxembourg (1 case), the Netherlands (2 cases), Norway (1 case), Spain (1 case), Sweden (4 cases), the United Kingdom (65 cases) and the United States of America (1 case).
Figure 1. Geographical distribution of reported Salmonella Typhimuriumoutbreak cases (n=151) and countries where implicated products have been distributed (n=113), as of 25 April 2022.
Symptom onset dates of cases ranged from 21 December 2021 to 28 March 2022. Children under 10 years of age (n=134; 89%) were disproportionately affected and females represented 66% (n=99) of reported cases. Information on reported symptoms and severity were available for 21 cases, and of these, 12 (57%) reported bloody diarrhea and nine (43%) were hospitalized. As of 25 April 2022, no fatalities associated with the outbreak has been reported.

Epidemiology of Salmonellosis

Salmonellosis is a disease caused by nontyphoidal Salmonella bacteria. While approximately 2,500 serotypes have been identified, the majority of human infections are caused by two serotypes of Salmonella: Typhimurium and Enteritidis.
Salmonellosis is characterized by acute onset of fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea that can be bloody as reported in most of the cases in the current outbreak. The onset of symptoms typically occurs 6–72 hours after ingestion of food or water contaminated with Salmonella, and illness lasts 2–7 days. Symptoms of salmonellosis are relatively mild and patients will make a recovery without specific treatment in most cases. However, in some cases, particularly in children and elderly patients, the associated dehydration can become severe and life-threatening.
Salmonella bacteria are widely distributed in domestic and wild animals, such as poultry, pigs, and cattle; and in pets, including cats, dogs, birds, and reptiles such as turtles. Salmonella can pass through the entire food chain from animal feed, primary production, and all the way to households or food-service establishments and institutions. Salmonellosis in humans is generally contracted through the consumption of contaminated food of animal origin (mainly eggs, meat, poultry, and milk). Person-to-person transmission can also occur through the faecal-oral route.

Public health response

• Food chain investigations were performed by countries where cases were identified and risk management actions were taken, including withdrawal of all product lines produced in the implicated production facility and extensive product recalls, supported by news alerts and advice for consumers.
• The World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) issued a global alert on 10 April notifying Member States of the outbreak and sharing information about implicated products linked to the outbreak to initiate a global recall. The INFOSAN Secretariat provided distribution details and sought information on risk management measures implemented and further distribution of the implicated products from Member States.
• WHO Member States were encouraged to report through INFOSAN the identification of distribution of new implicated products not yet reported, and/or the identification of cases possibly linked to the outbreak.
• The INFOSAN Secretariat will continue to update affected Member States, directly and through the INFOSAN Community Website, as more information becomes available, and continues collaborating closely with various partners (e.g. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Contro (ECDC), European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), European Commission, etc.) at the regional level to complement investigations and facilitate information exchange.

WHO risk assessment

Salmonella infections are typically mild and do not require treatment, however, children and elderly individuals are at greater risk for severe complications related to associated dehydration. To date, most cases have been in children under 10 years of age which may be due to the implicated product being targeted at children.
While there have been no fatalities associated with the outbreak reported as of 25 April 2022, among the cases with information on symptoms and severity (n=21), a high hospitalization rate (43%; n=9) was observed. Further information is needed to allow for a more accurate assessment of the severity associated with this event, including data on symptoms.
The outbreak has been epidemiologically and molecularly linked to chocolate produced in Belgium and distributed globally to over 113 countries and territories across all WHO Regions. While 150 of 151 known cases have been reported in Europe, one case has been reported in the United States of America and there is the likelihood of additional cases being reported from other countries given the broad distribution of the products during the Easter holiday which may lead to increased consumption of the implicated product or transportation of the implicated product to additional locations as a result of holiday-related travel.
Given that the identification of existing cases was through advanced molecular techniques, which are not routinely used in all countries, there is a likelihood that some proportion of cases will go undetected.
The risk of the event spreading within the most affected WHO Region, the WHO European Region, as well as globally is assessed as moderate until information is available on the full recall of the implicated products. Countries that have reported cases have good capacity for case management; however, information on disease severity associated with this event is still limited.

WHO advice

Prevention of salmonellosis: Prevention requires control measures at all stages of the food chain, from agricultural production, to processing, manufacturing and preparation of foods in both commercial establishments and at home.
General prevention measures for the public also include: handwashing with soap and water in particular after contact with pets or farm animals, or after having been to the toilet; ensuring food is properly cooked; drinking only pasteurized or boiled milk; avoiding ice unless it is made from safe water; washing of fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
WHO recommends the general public to follow the information provided by their national governments to get more information about the outbreak and implicated products.
Surveillance:

• WHO Member States for which implicated products have been distributed should investigate and report to WHO cases caused or suspected to be caused by the outbreak Salmonella strain. Enhanced public health surveillance activities are also recommended to be initiated.
• Member States with insufficient or no Whole Genome Sequence (WGS) capacity should be on the alert for, and investigate, human infections with Salmonella Typhimurium strains that have multi-drug resistance profiles, particularly showing resistance or having resistance markers to kanamycin/gentamicin, trimethoprim or co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole), and chloramphenicol.

Treatment: Routine antimicrobial therapy is not recommended for mild or moderate cases in healthy individuals. This is because antimicrobials may not completely eliminate the bacteria and may result in resistant strains, which subsequently can lead to the drug becoming ineffective. Treatment in severe cases is electrolyte replacement (to provide electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium and chloride ions, lost through vomiting and diarrhoea) and rehydration...

[sharon sanders]

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