Operational monitoring measures and official warnings from many countries prevented the outbreak of a global salmonella epidemic last year due to contaminated chocolate, experts from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said on Friday, DPA informs.

“If clear and coordinated action were not implemented in Europe and beyond, thousands of children could fall ill and possibly even many die,” said Johanna Takkinen, specialist in airborne and foodborne diseases at ECDC. .

Last spring, chocolate eggs and other products sold by the Ferrero group were withdrawn from sale in several countries after salmonella cases were detected. A total of 128 cases have been reported in the United Kingdom, caused by the same contamination that occurred at a chocolate factory in Belgium.

“Preliminary investigations of the first cases showed that Kinder chocolate products are a possible carrier of infection. Several countries have started to report an increase in the number of infections with the same strain that was found in the UK outbreak,” added Johanna Takkinen.

With quick coordination and some checks on data and samples taken, experts were able to identify a chocolate factory in Belgium as the source of the salmonella infection. As a result, warnings were issued in 130 countries.

According to the doctors, only thanks to the interdisciplinary collaboration between microbiologists, epidemiologists and food safety experts could a “devastating global epidemic” have been prevented. Strict monitoring introduced in the United Kingdom prevented more serious consequences.

In September, the Ferrero group received final approval to keep its chocolate factory in Arlon (Belgium) open on a permanent basis after production at the facility was closely monitored for some time.

However, the consumer protection organization Foodwatch believes that this case was much more serious than represented by the ECDC. Serious gaps in the food monitoring system allowed the salmonella outbreak triggered by the Ferrero group’s factory to become so large-scale in the first stage, the organization’s director, Chris Mattmann, said.

“Instead of congratulating and patting each other on the back, we urgently need reforms: both food manufacturers and the authorities should be obliged by law to immediately publicize complaints,” he added. (source: Agerpres)