Cadbury salmonella legal action

Cadbury has pleaded guilty to three offences under food and hygiene regulations in connection with a salmonella scare which led to the recall of more than a million chocolate bars. The three offences are:

1. Supplying "unsafe" chocolate products, "injurious to health and unfit for human consumption".

2. Failing to tell the authorities it had reason to believe the products might injure human health due to the presence of salmonella.

3. Failing to identify the hazards associated with its contaminated products.

The Health Protection Agency confirmed that thirty people were affected in total by the Montevideo strain of salmonella. Cadbury will be sentenced for the offences at Birmingham Crown Court on 13 July.

Birmingham City Council is responsible for enforcing health and safety laws at Cadbury's plant in Bournville. Cadbury's barrister Anthony Scrivener QC 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.

Separately Herefordshire Council is also prosecuting the company over the state of its factory near Leominster where the bars originated. The charges include not keeping a drainage pipe and roof vents in good repair, not permitting adequate cleaning of the premises, inadequate drainage facilities, and not carrying out proper cleaning of the conveyors or storage silos.

Each of the six offences carries a maximum penalty of an unlimited fine and/or two years' imprisonment. The company is due to appear before Herefordshire Magistrates on 24 July.

Irwin Mitchell are preparing a claim on behalf of a number of people who became ill after eating Cadbury products. If you or someone you know has been effected by salmonella or any kind of food poisoning, our experts may be able to help. Fill in our online claims form for free advice.

Salmonella legal action

If you have been affected by salmonella food poisoning, our solicitors can help you take legal action and claim compensation. Fill in our online claims form for free advice.

Alternatively, visit our salmonella legal action section.