The Belgian factory belonging to the giant "Ferrero" group in the chocolate industry, involved in a salmonella contamination scandal in its products during last spring, received a "final" permit from local health authorities to resume production, after being under supervision for three months.

The announcement of the group was confirmed on Friday by a spokesperson for the Belgian Agency for Food Chain Safety, in statements to Agence France-Presse.

Spokesperson Aline Van Den Broek said: "All the results of analyses of raw materials and finished products were in compliance with specifications, and the inspection tasks went well," indicating that the final permit was issued on Thursday.

The factory belonging to the globally known Italian giant company, especially for the Nutella and Kinder brands, in the Belgian city of Arlon received permission in mid-June to resume production under certain conditions, after being closed since April 8 following the exposure of the scandal.

The Belgian Agency for Food Chain Safety requested the ability to conduct regular analyses of the components used and finished products before they are released to the market.

Ferrero said on Friday that "the group worked under the supervision of the Belgian Agency for Food Chain Safety for three months using enhanced testing and quality protocols".

It added in a statement: "Granting the production license means that everything is ready to resume production with full confidence at the Arlon factory."

However, the Belgian agency noted that the factory will be "closely monitored" during the next year, with more frequent unannounced inspections than what is required by the standards adopted with chocolate makers.

At the beginning of April, with the approach of the Easter holiday in Europe, the group withdrew all products manufactured at this main site, after dozens of cases of salmonella infection were reported that could be linked to the consumption of "Kinder" chocolate products in several European countries.

Judicial investigations were opened in both Belgium and France to determine potential criminal responsibilities.