The chocolate maker Ferrero has reported that it is already recalling some of its products that have been distributed in cities in four states across the country, including the Bay Area in California, due to at least 100 cases of salmonella-infected chocolates.
Through a press release, the company detailed that the products are being recalled because they were manufactured in a facility where Salmonella typhimurium was detected.
While there have been no reports of illness in the United States to date, Ferrero is voluntarily recalling the products as a precautionary measure due to reported cases of Salmonella in shoppers who consumed the foods in Europe and which were manufactured at the same facility.
Thus, the company is already cooperating with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA to detect cases and remove the product from the shelves.
As a precaution, Ferrero is voluntarily recalling two Salmonella-infected chocolate products in the US:
1) Kinder Happy Moments chocolate assortment distributed at BJ's Wholesale Club stores and select Costco locations in the Bay Area of California and Northern Nevada.
2) Assorted basket of Kinder Mix Chocolate Treats distributed at 14 Big Y Supermarket locations in Connecticut and Massachusetts, where this product has been removed from store shelves.
This recall does not include any other Kinder products produced for the U.S. market.
"We are working with the three retailers to remove the products so they are no longer available for purchase. Consumers who purchased the recalled product should not eat the product and should contact Ferrero's customer service line at 1-800-688-3552 or through https://www.ferreronorthamerica.com/contact-US-residents to replace the product," he said.
In turn, on the Salmonella-infected chocolates, Ferrero said he "deeply" regrets the situation. "We take food safety very seriously and every step we have taken has been guided by our commitment to consumer care."
What is salmonella?
Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea - which may be bloody - nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
In rare circumstances, Salmonella infection can result in the organism entering the bloodstream and causing more serious illnesses, such as arterial infections - infected aneurysms - endocarditis and arthritis, the FDA said.
You may be interested in: Call to avoid consuming raw oysters from Canada due to norovirus outbreak
