23/04/2007

Cadbury to face charges over salmonella scare

Confectionary giant Cadbury Schweppes is to be prosecuted over a salmonella scare, which forced the company to recall a million chocolate bars.

Birmingham City Council confirmed that Cadbury would be charged with three offences under health and safety legislation.

The company is accused of placing "unsafe" chocolate products on the market and failing to "identify hazards" from chocolate products contaminated with salmonella and failing to identify "critical control points and corrective actions".

The company will also be prosecuted over an alleged failure to "immediately inform" the authorities about the contamination.

Each of the offences carries a maximum penalty of an unlimited fine and/or two years imprisonment.

The Health Protection Agency said that Cadbury's chocolate was the most likely cause of the salmonella outbreak, which affected more than 30 people.

The chocolate bars were recalled last June following the scare, which was blamed on a leaking pipe at a Cadbury's plant in Marlbrook, Herefordshire.

The firm has been summoned to appear before Birmingham magistrates on June 15.

A statement released by Cadbury said: "We have fully co-operated with the authorities throughout their inquiries and we will examine the charges that have been brought.

"As there is now legal action pending, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."

(KMcA)


Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

21 July 2006
Chocolate blamed for salmonella outbreak
Contaminated Cadbury's chocolate was the most likely cause of a salmonella outbreak according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA). Approximately 37 of the 56 cases reported between March and July may be linked to the product. The group presented its findings to the Salmonella Montevideo Outbreak Control Team (OCT).
23 June 2006
Cadbury recalls chocolate bars over salmonella fears
More than a million Cadbury chocolate bars are being removed from shops over fears that they may be contaminated with salmonella. Seven of the chocolate manufacturer's products are affected.
01 May 2003
Consumer groups chew out Cadbury’s sports scheme
Consumer groups have branded Cadbury's Get Active promotion scheme as an “irresponsible ploy to encourage unhealthy eating among kids”. Cadbury's 'Free Sports Kit 4 Schools' scheme offers sports equipment to schools in exchange for Cadbury's chocolate bar wrappers, claiming that it will encourage children to get more active.
10 February 2010
Kraft Confirms Cadbury Closure
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has attacked Kraft Foods over it decision to close a Bristol-based Cadbury factory. Kraft bought the chocolate manufacturer earlier this month, having pledged its commitment to the British brand.
19 January 2010
American Firm Buys Cadbury
Directors at UK chocolate producer Cadbury have approved a £11.5bn ($18.9bn) buy-out deal by American food firm Kraft. Kraft said the deal would create a "global confectionery leader". However, fears have been raised over jobs at Cadbury's Bournville and Somerdale manufacturing sites.