EU investigates salmonella outbreak possibly linked to chocolates

The cases of salmonella in Europe suspected of being linked to some batches of various children's chocolate products by Italian confectionery group Ferrero are now being investigated by EU authorities.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have launched investigations into the outbreak and plan to publish an assessment next week.

So far, 105 confirmed cases and 29 suspected cases of salmonella, most of them children under the age of 10, have been recorded, according to the authorities.

Almost half of the salmonella infections were recorded in Britain, with the first case already being detected on January 7.

Germany, Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden are also affected.

Severe symptoms

According to the EU authorities, the outbreak is characterized by an unusually high proportion of children requiring hospitalization, including some with severe symptoms such as bloody diarrhoea.

Certain chocolate products had been identified as a likely cause for the infections, it said.

Ferrero has since recalled several batches of its children's chocolate products - including Kinder Surprise Eggs - for example in Germany.

According to the company, all affected products were manufactured in Belgium.