BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

Kinder chocolate eggs linked to drug-resistant salmonella

Illustration picture shows the 'Kinder Surprise' chocolate egg, made by Ferrero

A Kinder Surprise chocolate egg, made by Ferrero. (Laurie Dieffembacq/Belga Mag/AFP via Getty Images)

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

(NEXSTAR) – Chocolates produced in Belgium for the Kinder company are causing an outbreak of antibiotic-resistant salmonella in several countries, including the U.S.

The outbreak has also been linked to at least nine hospitalizations across the globe, the World Health Organization says.

About 150 people have gotten sick with salmonella typhimurium after eating chocolate eggs made at the Ferrero Corporate plant in Arlon, Belgium, between December 2021 and January 2022, according to WHO. The news comes just after Easter, when the chocolates may have been given to children. WHO says the majority (89%) of those who’ve gotten sick are children ages 10 and younger.

Affected items are Kinder Surprise, Kinder Mini Eggs, Kinder Surprise Maxi 100g and Kinder Schoko-Bons, which were distributed worldwide.

The highest number of cases have been reported in Europe. There’s only one confirmed case in the U.S. so far, though WHO says more cases are likely to be reported globally.

Symptom data is slim for now, as there’s only information for 21 cases — 12 of which reported bloody diarrhea. No fatalities have been reported, but data from those 21 cases points to a high hospitalization rate.

The salmonella typhimurium bacteria is responsible for causing salmonellosis infection. Illness usually occurs between six and 72 hours after ingestion, and lasts for about two to seven days, WHO says.

The United Kingdom Health Security Agency says this strain is resistant to six types of antibiotics: penicillins, aminoglycosides (streptomycin, spectinomycin, kanamycin, and gentamycin), phenicols, sulfonamides, trimethoprim, tetracyclines.

While salmonella infections don’t usually require treatment, exposure can be dangerous for younger children and the elderly.

The risk level is considered moderate until more information is available, according to WHO. If you have these Kinder items, you should throw them away and contact Kinder/Ferrero for more information.

U.S.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Partly Cloudy

la

61°F Partly Cloudy Feels like 61°
Wind
5 mph SW
Humidity
56%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 48F. Winds light and variable.
48°F Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 48F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
4 mph N
Precip
2%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waning Crescent