A recall of Kinder Surprise eggs has been extended to more products, including Kinder Mini Eggs and Kinder Egg Hunt Kits because they might be contaminated with Salmonella, the Food Standards Agency has said.
The extended recall follows the 20g eggs or the three-pack of eggs with a best-before date between July 11 2022 and October 7 2022 being recalled on Monday.
Some 63 people in the UK, mostly young children, have become infected with salmonella in an outbreak linked to Kinder Surprise eggs.
More cases have reportedly been recorded in Europe, including Ireland, France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands. The eggs are made in Belgium.
Most cases involve children aged five and under.
No deaths have been reported in the UK so far.
Chocolate firm Ferrero is recalling the batches of their products as a precaution while investigations continue into the link FSA have said.
Kinder Surprise egg
Victoria Jones
Ferrero said in a statement: “The company continues to co-operate with the UK Food Standards Agency, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and Food Standards Scotland in relation to a number of reported cases of salmonella. Although no Kinder products released to market have tested positive for salmonella, we are taking this extremely seriously.
“While the situation remains the same, we are fully aware that Easter is approaching, where we see an increase in sales of these products and therefore, as an additional precautionary measure, today we have decided to voluntarily recall the products listed above due to these additional products having been manufactured in the same facility in Belgium, within the same time frame.
“We are working with retailers to ensure that these products are no longer available for purchase and are asking consumers, who have one of these listed products with the above best before dates, to please keep the product and contact our consumer care team on consumers.uk@ferrero.com or consumers.ireland@ferrero.com.
A toy from inside a Kinder Surprise egg
Victoria Jones
“No other Ferrero and Kinder products are affected by this voluntary recall.
“The company takes food safety extremely seriously and we sincerely apologise for this matter. Our continued commitment to consumer care has driven our decision today to extend the voluntary recall.”
Following the recalling of just the initial Kinder Surprise eggs, Tina Potter, FSA head of incidents, said: “We welcome the precautionary approach being taken by Ferrero and are advising consumers not to eat any of the products listed in the FSA alert.
“It is really important that consumers follow this advice to avoid the risk of becoming ill with salmonella poisoning.
“We know that these particular products are popular with young children, especially as Easter approaches, so we would urge parents and guardians of children to check if any products already in their home are affected by this recall.
“The food business involved has voluntarily carried out this product withdrawal and recall and we are working closely with them and their competent authorities to identify the precise cause of this outbreak.”
Dr Lesley Larkin, a surveillance lead at the UKHSA, said: “Anybody with concerns that they have symptoms of salmonellosis should contact their GP or call NHS 111.
“Salmonella can be spread from person to person, so anyone affected should adhere to good hygiene practice such as washing hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and avoiding handling food for others where possible, if you have symptoms.”
The full recall now applies to: 20g eggs or three-packs of the eggs with a best-before date of all dates up to and including October 7 2022, 100g Kinder Surprise packs with a best-before date between April 20 2022 and August 21 2022, Kinder Mini eggs 75g packs with a best-before date between April 20 and August 21 2022 and Kinder Egg Hunt Kits 150g with best before dates from April 21 to August 21 2022.