150 Salmonella Cases Reported Due to Kinder Chocolates

Around 150 salmonella cases mostly in children under the age of 10, were reported in nine European countries, reported revealed on Wednesday.

Authorities have recalled a number of Kinder chocolates due to salmonella contamination fears, days out from the Easter weekend.

Experts indicated that salmonella is a bacteria that can cause an infection called salmonellosis, often referred to as food poisoning.

The symptoms include headache, fever, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting. They typically begin between six and 72 hours after infection and last four to seven days.

In the same vein, NSW Health pointed out that infants, elderly people and those with poor immune systems are more likely to experience severe symptoms.

Last December, the European Food Safety Authority and European Centre for Disease Prevention detected bacteria in a buttermilk tank but let the factory reopen after the company implemented new hygiene and testing measures and passed a second salmonella testing.

European experts said: “further investigations are needed to identify the root cause, time and possible factors behind the contamination”.