"As far as we know there are 55 countries involved," Eline Bijveld, Mars corporate affairs coordinator for the Netherlands told AFP.

She added that the recall "only involves the products that are made in the Netherlands" at the Mars factory in the southern town of Veghel.

Mars said the recall affected all Mars and Snickers products, as well as Milky Way Minis, Miniatures and Celebrations confectionery boxes with best-before dates ranging from June 19, 2016 to January 8, 2017.

The chocolate giant did not indicate the total volume of the affected products, or what the financial impact of the recall would be.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)