Following investigations conducted by Belgian health authorities, in collaboration with their British, European, and notably French counterparts, Ferrero issued a recall on April 5, 2022, for several products in the Kinder range manufactured at a factory in Belgium due to suspected contamination with Salmonella Typhimurium. On April 8, 2022, the recall was ultimately expanded to include all Kinder products from this factory, regardless of their expiration date. On April 14, 2022, an update to the list of recalled products, including the 2021 Christmas Advent Calendars, was issued.

Cases of salmonellosis in France: status as of April 20, 2022

As of April 19, 2022: A total of 42 cases of salmonellosis involving a strain linked to the outbreak have been identified by the National Reference Center (CNR) for Salmonella at the Pasteur Institute in France.

The 42 cases are distributed across 11 regions: Île-de-France (7 cases), Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (7 cases), Grand Est (6 cases), Hauts-de-France (4 cases), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (4 cases), Nouvelle-Aquitaine (3 cases), Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (3 cases), Normandy (3 cases), Brittany (2 cases), Occitanie (2 cases), and Corsica (1 case), with a median age of 3 years, involving 22 boys and 20 girls.

Thirty-two cases were interviewed by Santé publique France. All cases reported consuming chocolates from the brand mentioned here prior to the onset of their symptoms (which occurred between January 20 and March 23, 2022).

Thirteen people were hospitalized for salmonellosis, all of whom have since been discharged. No deaths have been reported. Santé publique France is continuing its investigations with the families of cases recently reported by the CNR.

The successive recalls of the affected Kinder brand products, manufactured at the Belgian factory—which has since been shut down by Belgian authorities—should limit the occurrence of new salmonellosis cases in France in the coming days and weeks.

For a list of products affected by the recall: https://rappel.conso.gouv.fr/

Anyone who has consumed the products mentioned above and is experiencing symptoms (gastrointestinal issues, fever within 72 hours of consumption) is advised to consult their primary care physician immediately and inform them of this consumption.

To limit person-to-person transmission (especially in households with young children), it is recommended to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the restroom, after changing a child, and before cooking.