FDA warns Lidl advent calendars sold in nine states may contain salmonella-contaminated chocolate
- Chocolate advent calendars sold by Lidl recalled for contamination
- No calendar reports of illness yet, Riddle said
- But salmonella is dangerous for young, frail and elderly people, health experts warn
Thousands of Americans need to scrap their Advent calendars early because of the threat of contracting salmonella.
Lidl recalls calendars sold in more than 170 stores on the East Coast after routine inspections found food poisoning bacteria. Customers who have purchased her Favorina branded calendar with creamy chocolates are eligible for a full refund.
Salmonella causes fever, diarrhea, and vomiting in most people, but can be fatal in children and the elderly. In pregnant women, it can cause premature birth or miscarriage.
That’s after frozen raspberries were recalled because they may contain the superinfectious hepatitis virus, which can cause liver failure.
Pictured above is an advent calendar called Lidl. They were sold from October 5th to December 5th in over 170 stores in the US.
Lidl announced a voluntary recall after notifying the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To date, no reports of illness have been received.
However, the customer has been asked to return the calendar for a full refund.
The calendar features Lidl’s own Favorina logo, features a snowy Christmas scene, and contains 25 cream-filled chocolates.
It can also be identified by the barcode number 4056489516965 on the back of the package.
The German supermarket does not say how salmonella got into the chocolate.
But so far pollution has been caused by inadequate sanitation and dirty machinery.
Salmonella live in the intestines of animals and are excreted through faeces.
It can then contaminate food and water before human consumption.
Lidl doesn’t offer to exchange calendars, even though it’s already the 8th day of December.
The nine states Lidl operates are: Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia.Also opened in Washington DC
A Lidl spokesperson said, “The health and safety of our customers is our top priority at Lidl US.
“If you have purchased this product, please do not consume the product and immediately return it to your local Lidl store for a full refund.”
“Lidl US apologizes for any inconvenience related to this voluntary recall issued with a focus on the health and safety of our customers.”
German supermarkets sold calendars in their stores from October 5th to December 5th.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that salmonella causes approximately 1.35 million infections in the United States each year.
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