Twelve days before Easter, the Italian company Ferrero announces the recall of a series of Kinder chocolate products, made in Belgium, due to suspected salmonella. But how does salmonellosis manifest itself? How to take care of it? We take stock.
- In Europe, infections with bacteria of the genus Salmonella represent the second cause of foodborne illness
- People who have eaten the Kinder chocolates subject to this recall and who present these symptoms are invited to consult their doctor without delay by informing him of this consumption.
This April 5, the Ministry of Health reports that France, like other European countries, currently has 21 cases of salmonellosis. “Eight of them were hospitalized and all returned home. The median age of cases is 4 years old”can we read in his press release. According to the ministry, all the patients have one thing in common: they recently consumed Kinder chocolates made in the same factory in Arlon, Belgium.
The day before this announcement, the Italian group Ferrero declared that“none of our Kinder products placed on the French market has tested positive for salmonella, we have not received any complaints from consumers.” However, the company has decided to recall several Kinder brand chocolates “following the investigations carried out by the Belgian health authorities, jointly with their European and in particular French counterparts”. The chocolates subject to this recall are Kinder Surprise 20 g, Kinder Schoko-Bons, Kinder Mini Eggs, Kinder Happy Moments and Kinder Mix.
Health authorities are asking people with these products not to consume them and to throw them away immediately, because salmonellosis, an infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella often transmitted to humans through contaminated food, is not without consequences.
What are the symptoms of salmonellosis?
Salmonellosis is mainly manifested by gastrointestinal disorders. This disease is characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and sudden onset of fever. These symptoms appear 6 to 72 hours after ingesting the bacteria. The infection, which lasts two to seven days, usually resolves spontaneously. “In some cases, however, especially in very young children and the elderly, the associated dehydration can become severe and life-threatening,” precise the World Health Organization (WHO). Salmonellosis can also affect immunocompromised patients and pregnant women more seriously.
How to treat salmonellosis?
The treatment of severe cases is based on the supply of electrolytes (to replace, for example, sodium, potassium and chloride ions, lost due to vomiting and diarrhoea) and rehydration. According to the Pasteur Institute, antibiotic therapy is not recommended for mild or moderate forms in healthy adults. On the other hand, it can be prescribed for the elderly, infants, pregnant women and immunocompromised subjects in whom the infection can be more severe, even fatal.
What are the prevention methods?
To limit the risk of microbial contamination, particularly in homes with young children, it is recommended to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after going to the toilet, changing your child, entering contact with a live animal, handling raw food and before cooking. Another tip: cook food thoroughly, especially meat. “The elderly, sick, immunocompromised, young children and pregnant women are advised not to consume raw or undercooked eggs, raw or undercooked meats and raw milk”, specified ANSES.
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