Cadbury admits salmonella charges

Cadbury admits salmonella charges


Press Association
Friday June 15, 2007
Guardian Unlimited

Confectionery giant Cadbury today pleaded guilty to three offences under food and hygiene regulations in connection with a salmonella scare which led to the recall of more than 1m chocolate bars.

The company's barrister, Anthony Scrivener QC, entered the pleas on behalf of the firm during a 10-minute hearing at Birmingham magistrates court following a prosecution brought by Birmingham City Council.

The facts of the case were not opened at today's hearing and Cadbury will be sentenced for the offences at Birmingham crown court on July 13.

Mr Scrivener told the court that although certain facts in the case were still in dispute, Cadbury accepted its responsibility and was pleading guilty to the charges.

"They have already spent £20m on improvements," the QC said. "We accept that this case should be sent to the crown court for sentence."

Barry Berlin, appearing for Birmingham City Council, then told magistrates: "In these circumstances the matter can be committed to the crown court for sentence rather than for trial.

"The case, as you have heard, relates to three specific charges which I think you have seen. The prosecution accepts and agrees that these are serious matters which must be dealt with in the crown court."

The summons issued to Cadbury alleged that the company put "unsafe" contaminated chocolates on the market between January 19 and March 10 last year.

The other charges accused the confectionery giant of failing to immediately inform the relevant authorities about potential dangers and failing to identify "hazards" posed by the salmonella contamination.

Cadbury was the subject of an extensive investigation by both Birmingham City Council and Herefordshire Council after recalling more than 1m products on July 23 last year due to the contamination, which it blamed on a leaking pipe at its factory in Marlbrook, Herefordshire.

Herefordshire Council confirmed earlier today that it will prosecute Cadbury after an inquiry led by its environmental health team.