They've probably all been eaten already.
However, authorities initiated a recall on Wednesday of Kinder brand advent calendars sold for Christmas 2021. As is the case with all Kinder chocolates already recalled, authorities suspect the presence of salmonella in the products.
They ask those who still have it, to “no longer consume it”, on the dedicated website “Rappel Conso”.
All 2021 Kinder Christmas Advent Calendars (431 grams, 133 grams, 184 grams, 311 grams, 234 grams and 127 grams) are affected by this new recall.
If there is little chance that it will bear fruit (few people have an advent calendar in April), this reminder nevertheless confirms the suspicion of the presence of salmonella from Christmas.
This late reporting also raises questions since as of April 7 these products were part of the list of products recalled by the German authorities, in particular.
Read alsoHospitalized for four days, three-year-old Alice “feels like she is being punished”
In a press release, Ferrero indicated that it had detected salmonella on December 15, 2021 at one of its production sites in Arlon, Belgium.
“After a thorough investigation, the origin was identified as a filter at the outlet of the two raw material tanks.
The materials and finished products were blocked and were not delivered,” explained the chocolate maker.
An investigation has been opened in Belgium.
“The investigation is ongoing and aims to understand why people fell ill when the products had been blocked”, explains the chocolate maker.
The NGO Foodwatch revealed on Wednesday that Ferrero would have "tried to keep its products on the shelves as late as possible" by taking time to communicate on the suspicion of salmonella in its chocolates.
"The holiday season is a good time for Ferrero, who obviously preferred to try everything for everything and not proceed with a withdrawal-recall at that time", continues the NGO, in a press release.
To which Ferrero replies that the Christmas chocolates left the factory before October 15th.
If they are also the subject of a recall today, it is "for the sake of standardization and good understanding of consumers", says the confectioner.
The list of recalled products
the Kinder Surprise 20 g
(by one, by three, by four and by six) and 100 g;
Kinder Schoko-Bons milk
125 g, 150 g, 200 g, 300 g, 330 g, 350 g, 480 g and 500 g and Kinder Schoko-Bons White 200 g and 300 g;
Kinder Happy Moments
191g, 242g, 347g and 400g;
Kinder Mini Eggs
hazelnut, cocoa, milk and Kinder Mini Eggs mix;
the Kinder Mix
: Bag 193 g, Basket 150 g, Plush 133 g, Bucket 198 g, Car 125 g;
Christmas Advent Calendars 2021
: 431 g, 133 g, 184 g, 311 g, 234 g, 127 g.
A special number has been set up to obtain a refund: 0 800 653 653. It is also possible to contact the company by email at contact.fr@ferrero.com.