This Is How Long Salmonella Can Survive in Chocolate
You’ve probably heard about the salmonella infections in Kinder Surprise eggs from the Belgian factory. The contaminated chocolate has been found throughout Europe, and in the Netherlands at least two people are known to have fallen ill from it. So be careful, because that salmonella bacterium is also a pretty resilient little beast…
If you’re thrifty, happen to have one of those eggs at home, and think you can simply leave it on the shelf for a while and that things will sort themselves out inside: nope. Throw it away, immediately. Because do you know how long salmonella can survive in chocolate?
Old little beast
As long as two years! That’s what research conducted by, among others, Rijkelt Beumer, a food microbiologist at Wageningen Research & University, has shown. He also told Nu.nl that although salmonella infections are better known in connection with eggs, chicken and salmon, it is actually more common for the bacterium to be found in chocolate.
According to him, cocoa beans come from countries where hygiene conditions may not be optimal, and although checks are carried out further along the processing chain, it is quite possible that hygiene at the Belgian factory was not entirely in order. According to Beumer, milk powder used at the factory may have been the source of the salmonella infections.
Stress makes it stronger
He also says that his research showed that the bacteria curled up, allowing them to survive longer, and that they become more virulent in stressful situations. In that case, far fewer bacteria are needed to make people ill.
Really, don’t eat it
Ferrero, the parent company of Kinder chocolate, still advises against eating any chocolate whatsoever that came from that factory. The factory has since been closed, and it happened so quickly that Beumer indeed suspects the company did not have its controls and hygiene in order.
Complete list
Please note: the recall does not only concern the eggs containing a plastic toy. The Schoko-Bons from the factory may also contain the bacterium. On Ferrero’s website, you can find a list of all products you should definitely no longer eat.
Also read:
- Tony’s Chocolonely launches three new chocolate bars (our favorite: with sprinkles)
- H!P’s chocolate is delicious and incredibly sustainable
- 5 things to keep in mind when baking with chocolate
Source: Nu.nl
