Chocolate egg treat recalled after outbreak of salmonella
SOME 63 people in the UK, mostly young children, have become infected with salmonella in an outbreak linked to Kinder Surprise eggs.
Chocolate firm Ferrero is recalling some batches of the eggs as a precaution while investigations continue into the link, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said.
More cases have reportedly been recorded in Europe, including Ireland, France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands. The eggs are made in Belgium.
No deaths have been reported in the UK but most cases involve children aged five and under.
In an alert, the FSA said the recall is due to a ‘potential link to a salmonella outbreak’.
The products affected are the 20g eggs or the three-pack of eggs, all with a best-before date between July 11, 2022, and October 7, 2022.
Ferrero has recalled the products and people are being advised not to eat them. Anyone who has bought products with those use-by dates can contact the Ferrero consumer careline on consumers.uk@ferrero. com or 0330 053 8943 to obtain a full refund.
The FSA said the eggs have all been manufactured at the same factory, and other Ferrero products are not thought to be affected.
Investigations so far have been led by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Public Health Scotland, Public Health Wales and Public Health Agency Northern
Ireland.
Symptoms of salmonella include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever.
While most cases resolve in a few days, symptoms can be severe and lead to hospital admission.
Tina Potter, FSA head of incidents, said: “We welcome the precautionary approach being taken by Ferrero and are advising consumers not to eat any of the products listed in the FSA alert.”