A huge chocolate factory in Belgium has had to halt production after detecting salmonella in a batch of chocolates. The factory supplies snack brands that are well known and loved in the UK, including Hershey and Nestle.
The Barry Callebaut company said that its plant in Wieze – which it says is the world’s largest chocolate factory – shut down all production lines as a precaution while the contamination is investigated. The salmonella was detected on Monday, and all chocolate products made at the plant were placed on hold pending investigation, the company said.
It identified lecithin, an emulsifier routinely used in making chocolates, as the source of the contamination. The company said it informed Belgian food safety authorities and is contacting customers who might have contaminated products in their possession.
Spokesman Korneel Warlop said: "All products manufactured since the test have been blocked. Chocolate production in Wieze remains suspended until further notice."
It is unclear whether any consumers have reported being made sick by the chocolates, however customers who may have had contaminated chocolate are being contacted.
This comes on the back of a salmonella outbreak caused by Kinder Eggs in April with 76 cases, most of which being children under five.
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