In connection with a Europe-wide salmonella outbreak, investigators have carried out further searches at the confectionery manufacturer Ferrero. Documents and computer hardware were confiscated during raids in Belgium and Luxembourg, the Belga news agency wrote, citing the public prosecutor’s office of the Belgian province of Luxembourg.
Among other things, the Ferrero factory in Arlon, where the salmonella had been detected, was searched again, as well as premises in Brussels and the Ferrero headquarters in Luxembourg.
The aim of the ongoing investigation is to clarify responsibility for dealing with the contamination, monitoring the food chain and passing or not passing on information to the health authorities, according to the report on Wednesday evening in a statement.
In France, the judiciary has meanwhile initiated preliminary investigations following a lawsuit by Foodwatch against Ferrero. As the public prosecutor’s office in Paris said on Thursday, it is about the allegations of serious deception and endangering others. In preliminary investigations, it is first checked whether there is any truth to the allegations. Ferrero chocolate products were also recalled in France.