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)


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