Good news, the world’s biggest chocolate factory has reopened! Barry Callebaut is the Swiss company that runs the factory which shut its doors nearly two months ago due to a salmonella contamination.
It’s a big factory but it doesn’t directly sell chocolate to consumers. AFP reports: “The plant – which supplies industry giants such as Hershey, Nestle, and Unilever but not to consumers directly – was shut down at the end of June after salmonella bacteria was found in one lot.”
“We remain cautious because this operation is unprecedented, the process of cleaning and disinfection takes a lot of time,” a Barry Callebaut spokesman, Korneel Warlop, told AFP.
Three of the 24 chocolate production lines are now back up and running and the first delivery from the factory has already hit the road.
"The first deliveries to customers will take place this week." https://t.co/KjEHyuUnjh
— Barry Callebaut Group (@BarryCallebaut) August 8, 2022
The company does have a South African presence, and earlier this year announced it was expanding its footprint with the Garden Morris Packaging and Food group.
At the time Rogier van Sligter, president EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) at Barry Callebaut said: “Expansion is one of our four long-term strategic pillars. After more than 20 years of experience in the South African market, we start a new chapter. By setting up a direct distribution network, we improve customer proximity and enable the growth of our Gourmet brands in the African markets.”
