Brazil orders recall of Kinder chocolates after contamination cases

With Easter just around the corner, and following a dozen of cases of contamination with salmonella bacteria of Kinder chocolates in the United Kingdom, Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security has issued a notification to manufacturer Ferrero do Brasil. The decision stipulates the company must recall Kinder chocolates or provide clarifications regarding the safety of the product.

Dozens of cases of salmonella contamination have been detected in Europe. The source of contamination is believed to be products manufactured in Belgium, which led the manufacturer to withdraw them from stores.

“It is recommended that subsidiaries, importers, suppliers, and service providers report to relevant authorities in Brazil that the products or services subjected to the recall abroad have not reached the Brazilian market. If the product shows evidence of risk to consumers in Brazil, the supplier must order a product recall immediately,” the note from the ministry reads.

The company has 72 hours from receipt of the notification to formalize the recall or provide appropriate clarifications.

Salmonellosis

Salmonellosis is an infection caused by salmonella. The bacteria reach the intestine and can cause gastroenteritis. Symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, and sometimes vomiting and fever may appear in 12 to 72 hours after the ingestion of food infected with them. Symptoms usually last from four to seven days and most people recover without treatment.