Salmonella forces production halt at Barry Callebaut’s Belgium plant

01 Jul 2022 --- Barry Callebaut warns that it has detected salmonella contamination at its Belgium plant in the city of Wieze. The chocolate and cocoa giant stresses that most of the chocolate potentially infected didn’t leave the plant but has launched an investigation into the cause of the contamination.

“Based on internal investigation, Barry Callebaut confirms that no chocolate products affected by the salmonella-positive production lot in Wieze, Belgium, entered the retail food chain,” highlights a spokesperson.

“Our quality experts identified lecithin as the source of the contamination. As lecithin is used in all chocolate production, we have taken the precautionary measure to stop all production lines and to block all products manufactured since the time of testing, while we continue the root cause analysis and risk assessment.” 

“Out of precaution, we have also asked our customers to block any shipped products.”

The company is reaching out to customers who may have received any contaminated product.

Barry Callebaut says 72 of the 73 shipment companies that could have had contaminated lots have confirmed a halt of deliveries.

There have been no reports of anyone infected by salmonellosis. 

Analysis underway
The company is investigating the origins and how it has infiltrated the biggest chocolate plant in the world. 

“Food safety is paramount for Barry Callebaut and this is a very exceptional case. Not only do we have a Food Safety Charter and procedure in place, we also have over 20 people working on food safety and quality in Europe,” underscores the spokesperson. 

“In our local site in Wieze, we train our people to recognize food safety risks. This allowed us to quickly identify the risk and successfully start the root cause analysis.”

“Barry Callebaut will now take the time to continue with the very diligent root cause analysis -keeping the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FAVV) informed in the process. When the analysis is completed, the lines will be cleaned and disinfected before resuming the production process.”

Previous Salmonella cases 
In April, a salmonella outbreak in Ferrero production lines forced The Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland to advise consumers to avoid Ferrero Kinder products with best before dates 11 July and 7 October 2022.

The food agencies enforced a precautionary product recall.

In May 2022, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control linked 324 cases in the EU linked to chocolate products. 86.3% among children at or younger than ten years old.

“The closure of the Belgian processing plant on 8 April 2022 and the global recall and withdrawal of all their products have reduced the risk of exposure, but new cases may occur due to the long shelf life and possible storage of products at home,” warned the agency.

Until June 17 health authorities didn’t allow the restart of the Ferrero plant. 

“More than 1,000 Ferrero employees and independent specialists have been working at the plant continuously. More than 1,800 quality tests have been completed, 10,000 parts dismantled and cleaned, and significant investments made. This includes the replacement of multiple pieces of equipment as well as the installation of 300 meters of new pipeline. We’ve also updated the product safety protocols, trainings and sampling in the plant,” underscored Ferrero.

By Marc Cervera

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