Contaminated chocolate recalled

CHOCOLATE contaminated with worms was recently withdrawn from Carrefour supermarkets in Greece and Cyprus.

The batches of chocolate that proved dangerous for consumption were found in Cyprus, although they were produced in Greece by Carrefour Group Greece  – Carrefour Marinopoulos. High temperatures seem to be responsible for the alteration in the quality of the chocolate.

According to a report by EFET, the Hellenic Food Authority, foreign bodies (worms) were detected in a chocolate sample, in the company’s stores.

“The details as well as pictures of the products withdrawn were published by EFET,” confirmed an EFET official. “Carrefour itself informed us of the existence of the altered batches,” he added.

Local Health Services published a similar announcement. “Following complaints by a consumer for one of its products, Carrefour investigated the matter. The company immediately warned its customers and proceeded with the withdrawal of another six products for preventive reasons,” explained Christos Christou, director of the Health Services.

“Although the first announcement of the company was judged as insufficient, the investigations at the time of the announcement were at an initial stage,” he said, adding that a new, more analytical announcement was agreed upon and published by EFET on Wedne

Details of the seven products that were taken off the shelves are:

* Carrefour Dark Chocolate with Almond, 100 gr. Barcode: 5204239137772, batch number and expiry date: 17/02/2012 – C6.

* Carrefour Dark Chocolate with Hazelnut, 100 gr. Barcode: 5204239137789, batch number and expiry date: 20/01/2012 – B6.

* Carrefour Dark Chocolate, 100 gr. Barcode: 5204239123584, batch number and expiry date: 12/04/2013 – A4.

* Carrefour Milk-Rice Chocolate, 100 gr. Barcode: 3560070049202, batch number and expiry date: 10/2012 – C.

* Carrefour Milk Chocolate with Almonds, 100 gr. Barcode: 5201438050291, batch number and expiry: 13/01/2012 – ?6.

* No. 1 Milk Chocolate with Hazelnut, 100 gr. Barcode: 5201438050284, batch number and expiry date: 19/01/2012 – ?6.

* No. 1 Milk Chocolate, 100 gr. Barcode: 5201438050277, batch number and expiry date: 06/04/2012 – D6.

EFET and Cyprus Health Services yesterday continued their investigations in Greece and Cyprus.

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