13.nov.06
The Toronto Star
Tracey Tyler
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1163415768294&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154&t=TS_Home
Hershey Canada was cited as saying today it has retrieved several brands of candy and chocolate bars that were the subject of a voluntary recall because of concerns about possible Salmonella contamination. But its Canadian manufacturing plant at Smiths Falls, Ont. remains closed indefinitely, with 300 workers laid off.
The company says a routine inspection last week pointed to the possibility that "a minor ingredient" used to make chocolate may have been contaminated by Salmonella bacteria. Further tests confirmed the presence of Salmonella, Hershey spokeperson Stephanie Moritz said today.
Most of the 25 brands of candy subject to the recall - including Oh Henry! bars, Reese Peanut Butter Cups and Glossettes - was still in Hershey's distribution system, the company said. Moritz would not say how much has been collected from customers so far.
Customers can get a refund by mailing their wrappers to the Hershey main office in Pennsylvania, Moritz said. She suggested they go to the company's website for further details.
Moritz would not identify the minor ingredient in question. It's "externally-sourced" and isn't one of the four main ingredients in chocolate - sugar, milk, cocoa butter and the chocolate liquor made from ground cocoa beans.
Moritz couldn't say when the plant, which employs 500 people, will re-open.