French justice seizes the food scandal which affects Ferrero.
After the salmonellosis infection of several children who had consumed Kinder products, belonging to the group, a preliminary investigation was opened following complaints, announced the Paris prosecutor's office.
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This investigation was opened on the counts of "
deceit aggravated by the danger to human health
", "
involuntary attacks on physical integrity
" and "
endangering the lives of others
", after a complaint filed on May 19 by the Foodwatch France consumer association.
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This investigation is in addition to that currently being carried out by the Belgian justice system, since the factory incriminated in this wave of contamination is located in Arlon, Belgium.
This factory, which produces the entire Kinder range (Kinder Surprise, Kinder Mini Eggs, Kinder Surprise Maxi 100g and Kinder Schoko-Bons) is now closed until an indefinite date.
Six searches were thus carried out on Wednesday, June 8.
Read alsoSalmonellosis: contamination of Ferrero chocolates already detected in December
The Ferrero group is suspected of having delayed alerting the authorities and recalling its products, when salmonella had been detected at its facilities in Arlon on December 15.
The contamination comes from a filter located in a dairy butter tank, according to the multinational.
Several families have since filed a complaint against the company following the contamination of their children.
The latter also criticize the company for having offered a purchase voucher as the only response to reimburse the price of the chocolates.