Kinder Joy: Kenyan Authorities Probing Popular Kids’ Chocolate Product over Health Concerns

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has opened a probe on Kinder Joy chocolate products over health concerns.

This comes after some European markets pulled the product, which is manufactured by Italian candy company Ferrero, from supermarket shelves due to health concerns.

The chocolate product, which is popular among children, was halted by European authorities on a precautionary recall due to salmonella outbreak fears.

KEBS managing director Bernard Njiraini told Business Daily that the agency will carry out a safety test on all Kinder Joy products sold in Kenya before any further action is taken.

"We shall take samples for the test to ascertain they are okay," Njiraini noted.

The Italian candy maker also recalled some chocolate products in Germany as a precaution following the outbreak.

The outbreak, which has mainly affected young children, began in the UK where the number of salmonella cases has risen to 63, with the median age of those who have become ill being under the age of five.

As a result, the UK Food Safety Agency (FSA) advised consumers to be cautious when purchasing Kinder Joy products.

"We know that these particular products are popular with young children, especially as Easter approaches, so we would urge parents and guardians of children to check if any products are already in their home are affected by this recall," the agency said in a statement.

Ferrero, a multinational chocolate and confectionery company based in Italy, is the second-largest candy maker in the world.