Kinder product recall extended as 15 cases of salmonellosis identified in Ireland

Parents and carers of young children are urged to make sure they do not have Kinder Egg products at home.

Ferrero's recent recalling of a number of Kinder products associated with an extensive outbreak of Salmonella has been extended, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has advised. First issued at the weekend, the recall then only affected 20g and 20g x 3 pack-sized Kinder Surprises with best before dates between 11 July and 7 October, 2022. However, a number of other Kinder products have been added to it since. This latest alert involves the recall of all the implicated items irrespective of the best by date. Information regarding the affected products and batches can be found below. In a statement, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) said the products have been associated with an extensive outbreak of Salmonella that is affecting children primarily. Since the end of January, 15 cases of salmonellosis forming part of the outbreak have been identified in Ireland, most of which were in children. The most recent Irish cases became unwell in mid-March. The Irish outbreak is part of a larger one that involves the UK and a number of other European countries. According to the HPSC, the "great majority" of people who have become ill in the wider outbreak have reported eating Kinder products manufactured by Ferrero in the days before. The HSE, HPSC and FSAI have been working closely with UK authorities as part of investigations. "Although there has been a swift recall of these products, there may be further cases of illness associated with this outbreak," the HPSC said. "However, the likelihood of any individual child becoming sick as a result of eating this product is extremely low. "Only a very small percentage of children who have eaten this product over the last few weeks has developed salmonella infection. "The symptoms of salmonella infection in children (nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea) are mild in the majority of cases and can be managed at home. "If your child develops more worrying symptoms such as a lot of diarrhoea, diarrhoea with blood in it, a lot of vomiting, a high temperature or a nasty headache, you should seek medical advice from your GP. "It is important to remember that the majority of children who develop vomiting and diarrhoea are unlikely to have salmonella infection, and are more likely to have a simple viral tummy upset, which can be treated simply with paracetamol and fluids by mouth." Retailers have been requested to remove the implicated Kinder batches from sale and to display a point-of-sale recall notice in stores where they were sold. Those who bought the products, meanwhile, are advised not to eat the implicated products and instead, contact the Ferrero consumer careline on +44 (0)330 053 8943 or email consumers.ireland@ferrero.com. Parents and carers of young children are also urged to make sure that they do not have Kinder Egg products at home. For more information on the recall, visit the FSAI's website here. Images via FSAI