Kinder Chocolate Surprise Eggs Recalled Over Salmonella Outbreak Links

Consumers are being cautioned against buying Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs due to a “potential link” to reported cases of salmonella poisoning in the U.K., Ireland and other European countries.

According to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), in recent weeks, several young children have shown symptoms consistent with salmonella after ingesting the Kinder surprise snacks. A total of 10 cases of the same strain of salmonella responsible for an outbreak in the United Kingdom have so far been reported in Ireland, according to The Journal. The report said that a number of the Irish cases involved young children. They have fully recovered.

The FSAI has since issued a recall with immediate effect as food experts probe into the matter.

All 20g eggs and three-packs of the product with a best before date between 11 July 2022 and 7 October 2022 have been taken off shelves as part of the recall. The FSAI has warned the customers who brought the eggs to not eat them, according to the outlet.

Dr. Pamela Byrne, chief executive of the FSAI, urged parents to discard any of the products in case they stocked up on them for Easter.

"We know that these particular Kinder Surprise products are popular with young children,” Byrne was cited as saying by The Journal. "Given that we are approaching Easter, we would urge parents and guardians to check at home if they have any of the products and if they do, to ensure that any are not eaten."

Ferrero, the owner of Kinder, confirmed it has recalled all its products, which had been manufactured in Belgium, as a "precaution," adding that it received no customer complaints so far, LadBible reported.

In a statement, the U.K. Food Standards Agency (FSA) said: "Investigations, led by UKHSA, Public Health Scotland, Public Health Wales and Public Health Agency Northern Ireland, have found a link between reported cases of salmonella poisoning across the UK and a specific product produced by the Ferrero company.”

"Ferrero is taking the precautionary action of recalling selected batches of Kinder Surprise because it might be contaminated with Salmonella. Only Kinder Surprise products manufactured in Belgium are affected," the agency said, according to Birmingham Live.

According to the FSA, symptoms of salmonella food poisoning include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever. However, a patient might need hospitalization in case of severe symptoms. The symptoms usually develop within 12-36 hours, but they can also range between 6 to 72 hours, the agency said.

People infected with the food illness are expected to recover in a few weeks.