Ferrero guaranteed that its products are safe to consume. (Photo : Getty Images)
Ferrero clarified that its chocolate bars are safe, adding that the German government has not recalled its products from the country's store shelves, an article from local news portal china.cnr.cn reported.
In a statement posted on its website on July 12, the firm further guaranteed that they have met all the needed food safety requirements in the countries where they exported their products.
On July 5, U.K. media outlet Daily Mail reported that Germany's Foodwatch has found out that its Kinder Riegel chocolate bars contain high levels of mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons. This component is a byproduct of the oil refining process.
The newspaper cited that the issue has led to the recalling of the bars, as the European Food Safety Agency also commented that the product "may be carcinogenic."
China.cnr.cn further reported that Foodwatch member Johannes Heeg has recommended consumers to avoid purchasing these products.
Asked about the said mineral found, Ferrero shared that minimal traces of such oil do exist almost anywhere.
"Main migration sources are, for example, mineral oil components from printing inks that are introduced into the packaging recycling cycle and, through transport containing recycled fiber, migrate to raw materials and foods," a Ferrero spokesperson remarked, as cited by the Daily Mail.
Moreover, Ferrero emphasized that its packaging process has fully complied with all the legalities concerning food contact materials. It noted that it has been the company's tradition to work on technical solutions to ensure it delivers the best quality to its clients.
Nonetheless, it noted that there exists no particular food safety regulation for this concern.
Meanwhile, German news portal thelocal.de reported that the Association of the German Confectionary Agency has already shared that there is no need for a product recall. The group said that the level of mineral oil found is consumable.
