These agrifood giants are involved in thecontamination with bacteria linked to the consumption of Kinder chocolates (Ferrero group) and Buitoni frozen pizzas (Nestlé). The NGO is taking legal action in two separate complaints, which franceinfo has been able to consult.
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The Foodwatch France association announced, Thursday, May 19, the filing of two complaints in Paris after contamination with bacteria linked to the consumption of Kinder chocolates, from the Ferrero group, and Buitoni frozen pizzas, owned by Nestlé. The NGO is filing a double complaint, filed Thursday afternoon at the public health center of the Paris prosecutor’s office, which targets no less than seven offenses.
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For food watch, these agri-food groups have since the beginning of these cases minimized the facts and failed in their obligations vis-à-vis the consumer. According to the NGO, Ferrero and Nestlé broke French and European regulations by neglecting hygiene rules before and after reporting the first cases, but also by delaying their withdrawal and recall procedures in order to find ways to limit harm to their brands.
The NGO is suing Nestlé and Buitoni for in particular “endangering the lives of others”, “aggravated deception”, “involuntary attacks on the integrity of the person” but also “export of products involving health”. The complaint against Kinder is supported by two families. Those of girls aged 9 and 6 who fell ill after eating Kinder surprise eggs made in its factory in Arlon, Belgium. Salmonella poisoning with serious consequences for these children.
If a Parisian examining magistrate has been seized since May 12 in the case of the Fraich’UP pizzas, which caused the death of two children, no investigation, concerning the Kinder brand and the Ferrero group, has been opened in France. Belgium took over the case.
According to a latest report from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on May 18, 324 cases – 266 confirmed and 58 probable – of salmonellosis have been identified in thirteen European countries including the United Kingdom. Children under 10 are the main victims of this infection, but no deaths have been recorded at this stage, according to Efsa.