Cadbury in court over food bug outbreak

Published on Tuesday 24 April 2007 01:01

CADBURY Schweppes, the confectionery giant, is to face prosecution over the outbreak of salmonella that forced it to recall a million chocolate bars.

The company is accused of placing "unsafe" chocolate products on the market, Birmingham City Council said.

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

Cadbury will also be prosecuted under a third charge of failing to identify hazards from chocolate bars contaminated with salmonella and of failing to identify "corrective actions". Each offence carries a maximum penalty of unlimited fines and/or two years in prison.

A leaking pipe at a Cadbury's factory in Marlbrook, Herefordshire, was blamed for the incident in June 2006.

The prosecution follows an investigation by the council's public health officers after the salmonella outbreak.

The first two alleged offences involve breaches of General Food Regulations 2004. The third is an alleged breach of the Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006.

In December, the firm said the bill for dealing with the contamination would hit 30 million.

Cadbury has been summoned to appear before Birmingham Magistrates' Court on 15 June.