Cadbury pleads guilty in salmonella case

Cadbury pleads guilty in salmonella case
LONDON: Cadbury Schweppes Plc pleaded guilty Friday to charges of selling contaminated products in Britain and Ireland during 2006. The admission could lead to the confectioner having to pay unlimited fine.

The charges were brought by Birmingham City Council charging that the company, which makes chocolates like Dairy Milk, had marketed products that were contaminated with salmonella. The council prosecuted the chocolate maker under the U.K. General Food Regulations and Food Hygiene Regulations, essentially for failing immediately to alert authorities about the possible contamination.

The company said in a statement it admits that it had mistakenly believed that there was no threat to health and thus thought there was no requirement to report the matter to the authorities. "We accept that this approach was incorrect," the statement added.

The case is being referred to the Birmingham Crown Court and the sentencing is expected to happen on 13 July.

Cadbury said it detected salmonella on 19 January 2006 at Marlbrook, which produces chocolate crumb mixture. It admitted the problem on 23 June, and linked it to a leaking pipe. It also said it was recalling more than one million chocolate bars in the country and Irish markets because they could contain minute traces of salmonella.

Cadbury is facing a second prosecution by Hereford Council, which has also brought charges relating to the incident. The council said it will prosecute Cadbury over six alleged offences -- like not keeping its plant in good shape, the plant's layout and provision of adequate drainage and also the cleaning and disinfection of equipment. The company has been told to appear before the Herefordshire magistrate's court on 24 July.