Parents, are you a chocolate lover? More importantly, are your children chocolate lovers? If you’ve answered in the affirmative, then it’s best that you read on.
A US chocolate giant has ordered that their Dutch-produced products be recalled after a German customer found plastic in the chocolate. Investigations traced the batch of products back to a factory in the Netherlands.
Reports claim that over a million of Mars chocolate bars were deemed unsafe for consumption, including Milky Way minis and boxes of the confectionery Celebrations.
READ: Over 1,000 students poisoned by Durian candy in Surigao
Although European countries are most affected by the recall, the contaminated batch has reached as far as Asia, particularly the countries Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
“As far as we know there are 55 countries involved,” said Eline Bijveld, Mars corporate affairs coordinator for the Netherlands, to reporters. The company, however, refused to reveal the whole list of countries that are affected.
Although the manufacturing dates of the affected products vary, the company advised that consumers avoid those that were produced in the Netherlands and have a “best-before” date between June 19, 2016 and January 8, 2017.
READ: Prevention + First Aid For Accidental Poisoning
Food poisoning is very common occurrence, especially with children. While minor cases usually improve on their own, more severe cases have to be attended to immediately.
Symptoms of food poisoning vary, but here are the most common: vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Fever can occur, too. If the food-borne illness is mild, you can treat yourself and wait for symptoms to pass.
Here are a few things to remember:
- Remain properly hydrated. Drinking sports drinks helps. Fruit juice and coconut water can also restore carbohydrates and help with fatigue.
- Avoid caffeine, and caffeinated drinks, which may irritate the digestive tract.
- Over-the-counter medications like Imodium and Pepto-Bismol can help control diarrhea and suppress nausea.
- If symptoms don’t improve within 24 hours, the condition may be a severe form of food poisoning, and you should immediately call your health care provider.
Moms, you might want to hold off giving your children any Mars products in the meantime—just to be on the safe side. Or better yet, instead of feeding them these kinds of treats, give them a healthier alternative such as candied fruits.
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