The Afsca alert was communicated Monday evening, shortly after 6:30 p.m. However, this Tuesday around noon, when we go to the Delhaize de Bouge (Namur), the Kinder products in question were still indeed on the shelves… Contacted, the Lion brand explains this late reaction. “We were waiting for confirmation from Afsca, which we got around 9:30-10 a.m.,” reports spokeswoman Karima Ghozzi. “Then, while preparing internal communication, our stores were asked to remove all Kinder products as a precaution. It must have been 10:30-11 a.m. »
After making inquiries with the store in question, she specifies: “There was a problem at the store which meant that he only received the information at 11:44 am. Now (it is then 12:20 p.m., editor’s note), everything is removed from the shelf. “. On our side, we were able to buy Shoko Bons, Kinder Mini Eggs as well as a box of three, from Kinder Surprise. All present a risk of salmonella!
For Afsca communication director Jean-Sébastion Walhin, it should not be assumed that within 60 minutes of communication, all recalled products must have been removed from the shelves. “It takes time for the information to arrive and for the recipient to put things in place. It may be that in small establishments (which is however not the case here, editor’s note), the manager did not immediately check his mailbox. »
But Delhaize’s case is not isolated. Other distributors still continue to sell the Kinder eggs pointed here. On the Colruyt side in particular, the spokesperson tells us that “in agreement with Afsca, Colruyt is asking for more clarity before taking any action”.
It is true that, in terms of communication, it was far from effective on Tuesday. “It is not yet clear whether the recalled products have been on sale in our stores”, we are told, for example, by Aldi, which as a precaution has withdrawn all the products listed by the Afsca. Same story at Carrefour where the same products have been withdrawn: “Without reference at present, we cannot estimate the volumes. »
communication problem
The Afsca points to a communication problem in the head of Ferrero. “We communicated with all the target groups,” comments the communications director. “But it’s up to Ferrero to shed light on whether there are any problems in understanding the information. They must be able to communicate with their customers. And sanctions can be taken against them if they do not. »
But it would also seem that the information from the Afsca did not pass clearly. Because when there is an official product recall, the withdrawal must be respected. This is not the case here.
Some interlocutors tell us that it was not actually a “real” reminder. In the Afsca’s communication on Monday evening, there was indeed talk of a call “not to consume 5 chocolate products from the Ferrero brand”. While on the page of the official site listing the various recalls, there is also no trace of the one concerning Ferrero.
Contacted following the non-withdrawal decided by some, the Afsca spokesperson jumped up: “It’s a reminder! And they will be penalized if the products are not removed! (the official notice was also published at 7:40 p.m. on the Agency’s Twitter).
In this context, it is therefore not excluded that you will still come across a Kinder product affected by the recall. So check the expiration dates listed before checking out. Even if after this official reminder, the deal should change.