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TheIndonesia.id - The Drug and Food Control Agency (BPOM) has temporarily halted the distribution of Kinder products over salmonella concerns until random sampling and testing for the famous chocolate products are concluded.
In a statement released on Monday, April 11, the Agency confirmed that it will carry out random sampling for Kinder products that are registered and distributed in Indonesia. Furthermore, it would also halt the products’ distribution in the country.
“To protect the public by emphasizing precautionary principle, BPOM will conduct random sampling and testing in all regions in Indonesia for all registered Kinder products. BPOM will temporarily stop the distribution of Kinder products until they are confirmed not to contain salmonella,” the statement read.
Earlier this month, the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued a statement that advised consumers not to eat certain Kinder products in connection with potential link to salmonella outbreak.
As a result of investigation, confectionary company Ferrero recalled products produced in its factory in Arlon, Belgium, including Kinder Surprise 20g and 20g x 3, Kinder Surprise 100g, Kinder Mini eggs 75g, Kinder Egg Hunt Kit 150g, and Kinder Schokobons 200g.
BPOM noted that none of these aforementioned products are registered in Indonesia and that all products registered in the Agency are produced by Ferrero India.
The products registered in BPOM are Kinder Joy, Kinder Joy for Boys, and Kinder Joy for Girls.
And on Tuesday, BPOM in Palu, Central Sulawesi, found six modern retail stores that still sold Kinder products.
“From 10 modern retailers that we inspected today, we found six that sold Kinder products with a total of 470 pieces. We have requested for the products to be removed from the stores’ shelf and for management to stop the sale until BPOM’s risk study confirms they’re safe,” head of BPOM in Palu Agus Riyanto said, as reported by Antara.
Similarly, BPOM in Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands, continued to monitor the market on the distribution of Kinder products. Head of BPOM Tanjungpinang Rai Gunawan said that the Agency had yet to find Kinder chocolates that aren’t registered in Indonesia, but he reiterated that sale is temporarily halted until sampling and testing are completed.
