Kinder Recalls Various Chocolate Assortments Days Before Easter Due to Salmonella Concerns

Check your Easter baskets! Ferrero U.S.A is recalling several different chocolate assortments days ahead of the Easter holiday because there are concerns that the products may be contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium. The impacted items—Kinder Happy Moments Chocolate Assortment and Kinder Mix Chocolate Treats basket—are being voluntarily recalled because they were manufactured in a facility where Salmonella was detected.

While there are currently no reports of illness in the United States, Ferrero is recalling the products out of an abundance of caution after there were multiple cases of Salmonella reported among people who consumed products in Europe that were manufactured at the same facility. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

The recalled products are listed below:

Kinder Happy Moments Milk Chocolate and Crispy Wafers Assortment, 14.1 OZ (400g) square box with lid
Best By Date: July 18, 2022 (located on back panel)
Lot codes: 48RUP334; 48RUP335; 48RUP 336; 48RUP337 (located on back panel)
UPC code: 09800 52025 (located on the right side panel)

Kinder Mix Chocolate Treats Basket, 5.3 OZ (152g) cardboard basket
Best By Date: July 30, 2022 (located on the bottom of the package)
Lot code: 03L 018AR – 306 (located on the bottom of the package)
UPC code: 09800 60209 (located on the bottom of the package)

No other Kinder products distributed or sold by Ferrero U.S.A., Inc. are included in this recall.

The Kinder Happy Moments Milk Chocolate and Crispy Wafers Assortment was sold at Costco in the bay area and northern Nevada, as well as various BJ's Wholesale Club stores. The Kinder Mix Chocolate Treats Basket was sold at 14 Big Y Supermarket locations in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

However, Ferrero acknowledges that there may be Kinder branded products currently for sale in the U.S. that are intended for foreign markets and unauthorized to be sold nationwide. Kinder branded products authorized for distribution in the U.S. include the following description printed directly on the back of the product packaging:

EXCL. DIST. FERRERO U.S.A., INC.
PARSIPPANY, NJ 07054

Ferrero, in conjunction with the FDA, says consumers should dispose of Kinder products not authorized to be sold in America immediately because they could be included as part of a recall of certain Kinder products in Europe. Additionally, customers who have purchased the products mentioned above should not consume them.

"Ferrero deeply regrets this situation. We take food safety extremely seriously and every step we have taken has been guided by our commitment to consumer care," the company said in a statement. "We will continue to work cooperatively with the Food and Drug Administration to address this matter."

Consumers with questions can contact the Ferrero customer service line at 1-800-688-3552.