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Authorities in Belgium have ordered the closure of a Kinder chocolate factory suspected as the origin of the spread of salmonella cases in several European countries and the US.
The tough decision for the Ferrero company, the Italian producer of Kinder eggs, comes shortly before the Easter holiday when Kinder chocolates are the most sought after products in supermarkets.
Ferrero said in a statement that she was shocked and “sorry” for the salmonella cases, and that she was closing her factory in the southeastern city of Arlon.
Health authorities in Belgium said they had ordered the closure of the factory following revelations that “information provided by Ferrero on the matter was incomplete”.
Authorities said they would “authorize the reopening once the facility is restored to health safety rules”.
Belgian Agriculture Minister David Clarinval said “such a decision was not taken lightly but circumstances made it necessary”.
“With immediate effect, the entire production of Kinder Surprise, Kinder Mini Eggs, Kinder Surprise Maxi 100g and Kinder Choko-Bons chocolate eggs is banned,” the statement said.
The company is also the maker of Nutella and Tic Tac sweets, while recalling some types of Kinder chocolates sold in the US.
Salmonella is a bacterium that causes symptoms such as diarrhea, fever and stomach pain in humans, as one of the most common foodborne infections.
Most cases are caused by contamination of food with animal or human feces.
Britain said earlier it had identified 63 cases of salmonella and France at least 21, among others.
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