Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause symptoms including diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps. /Ole Spata/DPA/AFP
Belgian authorities have ordered the closure of a Kinder chocolate factory after the facility was suspected to be behind a wave of salmonella cases in several European countries and the United States.
The decision, and accompanying health concerns, come at the height of the Easter holiday season for its owner, Italian confectionery giant Ferrero, when its Kinder chocolates are sought-after supermarket buys.
Ferrero issued a statement saying it "sincerely apologizes" for the spate of salmonella cases and acknowledging the suspension of operations of its factory located in the southeastern Belgian town of Arlon.
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Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause symptoms including diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps in humans, and is one of the most common food-borne infections.
Most cases are caused by the ingestion of food contaminated with animal or human faeces.
Belgium's food safety authority, AFSCA, said in a statement the plant was ordered shut "following the findings of the last few hours that information provided by Ferrero is incomplete."
It ordered the recall of the factory's entire production of the company's popular Kinder brand.
The authority "will only authorize the reopening of the site once it has been concluded that the establishment complies with all food safety rules and requirements," it added.
"Such a decision is never taken lightly, but the current circumstances make it necessary," said Belgian Agriculture Minister David Clarinval. "The food security of our citizens can never be neglected."
Ferrero said it "acknowledges there were internal inefficiencies, creating delays in retrieving and sharing information in a timely manner".
"With immediate effect" the factory's entire production of Kinder Surprise, Kinder Mini Eggs, Kinder Surprise Maxi and Kinder Schoko-Bons was halted, it said.
"We deeply regret this matter. We want to sincerely apologize to all our consumers and business partners and thank the food safety authorities for their valuable guidance," Ferrero said.
The company, which also makes Nutella and Tic Tac candies, recalled certain varieties of its Kinder chocolates in the United States which had been made in Belgium, on Thursday.
That followed recalls earlier this week in the United Kingdom and several European countries over concerns about products from the factory.
Britain's Food Standards Agency has said 63 cases of salmonella have been identified across the UK.
In France, at least 21 cases have been reported and 15 reported having eaten Kinder products that have now been recalled, according to the French public health service.