A factory in Belgium has been shut down until further notice after more Kinder products were recalled in the UK amid salmonella fears.
Producers Ferrero said that it has suspended operations at its plant in the Belgian city of Arlon, which it hopes to reopen “once certified by authorities”.
The news comes after the Food Standards Agency (FSA) widened its product recall of Kinder products for a second time.
In an update issued on Friday night, the FSA said that all products produced at the Arlon site produced between June and the present day will now be recalled.
Previously, this product recall only covered products that had best before dates up to October 7, 2022.
This renewed recall means that all products included in the notice must not be eaten, regardless of what the best before date is.
Kinder Surprise, Kinder Mini Eggs, Kinder Egg Hunt Kit and Kinder Schokobons are all included in the recall.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that 67 people in the UK are known to have been infected with salmonella linked to the chocolates as of Friday.
Officials say that the majority of people affected are under the age of five.
Ferrero said that its Arlon plant accounts for around seven per cent of the total volume of Kinder products manufactured every year.
A spokesperson for the firm said: “Food safety, quality and consumer care have been at the heart of Ferrero since the company was founded.
“This serious event goes to the core of what we standard for and we will take every step necessary to preserve the full trust and confidence of our consumers.”
Tina Potter, head of incidents at the FSA 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.”
Full list of Kinder products recalled
- Kinder Surprise (20g and 20g x three pack) - all dates up to and including January 4, 2023
- Kinder Surprise (100g) - all dates up to and including August 21, 2022
- Kinder Mini Eggs (75g) - all dates up to and including August 21, 2022
- Kinder Egg Hunt Kit (150g) - all dates up to and including August 21, 2022
- Kinder Schokobons (70g, 200g and 320g) - all dates up to and including January 4, 2023
