Kinder defends itself after 'dangerous carcinogens' found in chocolate bars

Food watchdog claims Kinder refused when they asked them to withdraw products

Kinder were asked to recall their Riegel chocolate bars by a German food watchdog (Flickr/Bodo)

The makers of Kinder chocolate have defended the quantities of “likely carcinogens” in their chocolate, saying the substances exist “everywhere in the environment”.

The company had received criticism from a German food watchdog that called for Kinder Riegal chocolate bars and two other products to be taken off sale.

Foodwatch found the products contained “dangerous” levels of mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAHs), a byproduct of refining oil. MOAHs have been called “likely carcinogenic and mutagenic” by the European Food Safety Authority.

One Foodwatch representative, Johannes Heeg, told the German edition of The Local: "We recommend not purchasing these products because the levels are simply unacceptable for consumption."

But the watchdog say when they asked Ferrero, the makers of the Kinder Riegel chocolate bar to remove the products, they refused.

Now defending their actions, Ferrero said: “Traces of mineral oil exist nearly everywhere in the environment and they can be transferred to food in many different ways."

The possibly dangerous substance can be transferred to the chocolate from the inks on its wrapping.

The chocolate-maker called for other companies in the supply chain to help reduce the levels of the potentially harmful substance.

They said: “we are working on technical solutions to minimize” the presence of MOAHs. Ferrero wished to assure consumers they acted in accordance with food law legislation.