Salmonella scandal about Ü eggs: Weaknesses in the control system criticized

Created: 04/19/2022, 19:47

Salmonella is a known problem in the manufacture of chocolate.

If a case occurs, a warning should be issued.

(Iconic image) © Victoria Jones/PA Wire/dpa

Ferrero remained silent for too long and risked people's health.

Consumer advocates want answers to open questions.

Munich - In mid-December, Ferrero employees discovered the bacterium Salmonella Typhimurium in a Belgian plant.

The company reacts, replaces filters, increases controls and continues to sell the products all over the world after negative salmonella tests, reports

.

An official warning to consumers is not known.

Later, cases of salmonella poisoning increase.

The company is responding and recalling products.

Four months later.

Over 150 people fell ill, some seriously, after eating the salmonella-contaminated products.

These included many children under the age of ten, some of whom were taken to hospitals with severe clinical symptoms such as bloody diarrhea.

"The salmonella scandal at confectionery manufacturer Ferrero once again exposes the weaknesses in the food monitoring system," criticized the consumer

in a press release.

"Bite-sized information policy is unreasonable and irresponsible"

It took a good four months from the first appearance to the warning.

Too long a time that caused damage to people's health.

"How could apparently health-endangering products leave the factory and be sold for months?" asks Andreas Winkler from Foodwatch.

“The confectionery industry knows full well that salmonella is a huge problem in the manufacture of chocolate.

If such a mistake happens, the population must be warned immediately.”

"Ferrero's bite-sized information policy is unreasonable and irresponsible for consumers," says Christiane Seidel, food safety officer at the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations.

Ferrero must now put all the information on the table and participate in the complete clarification of the case.

Consumer advocates: Too many unanswered questions

The reason for the salmonella infection is said to have been buttermilk.

This was announced by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on Tuesday on its website.

But the case raises further questions: Were the self-checks carried out carefully in the case of Ferrero?

Did the manufacturer point out the health risk in good time?

Has all information been passed on to the authorities?

What measures did the authorities then take – or not?

According to the consumer organization, these questions have not been clarified.

Self-control and personal responsibility are not sufficient

The scandal shows that self-monitoring and self-responsibility on the part of manufacturers are unfortunately often not enough.

Foodwatch wants transparency obligations for authorities so that cases like Ferrero are made public immediately.

Food manufacturers should be legally obliged to warn consumers immediately on all channels.

"Silent recalls without public warning or bits and pieces of information a la Ferrero can cause serious health problems."

105 confirmed salmonella cases, 29 suspected cases

The EU food safety authority EFSA and the EU health authority ECDC have so far confirmed 105 salmonella cases and 29 suspected cases