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Cadbury charged over salmonella recall

23/04/2007

Confectionery maker Cadbury Schweppes faces legal action after a salmonella outbreak forced it to recall one million chocolate bars last year.

Birmingham city council is charging Cadbury with placing unsafe products on the market, not acting to prevent the hazard from developing as it did and failing to inform the public quickly enough.

The Health Protection Agency concluded in a report published in July last year that 36 of 56 reported cases of people who contracted salmonella between March and July 2006 were attributable to products from Cadbury.

The chocolate-maker admitted that its products may have been contaminated and that a faulty pipe at its Marlbrook plant may have caused the contamination.

But no such admissions were made in a statement released by Cadbury this morning

"We have fully cooperated with the authorities throughout their enquiries and we will examine the charges that have been brought," a spokesperson said.

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

Cadbury's case will be heard by Birmingham magistrates court on June 15th, according to Birmingham city council. It estimated in last year's final results that the recall cost the firm around £30 million.

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