Cadbury facing salmonella fine

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Birmingham Crown Court was told last week how the city-based confectioner failed to inform the authorities of dozens of tests which showed its processed materials and ready-to-eat products contained the organism.

The court also heard the food poisoning alert followed a decision by Cadbury to change its product testing systems to allow a "tolerance level" of salmonella cells in its chocolate.

Described by prosecutors as utterly inappropriate, the change in 2003 helped Cadbury to cut costs by reducing wastage.

Recorder James Guthrie QC, who will sentence Cadbury, also heard Cadbury's role in the salmonella outbreak was discovered "largely by chance".

Barry Berlin, prosecuting the firm on behalf of Birmingham City Council, told the court on Friday that until 2003 Cadbury had destroyed any chocolate which tested positive for salmonella, adopting an approach that "no amount of testing will make a positive result go away".

Mr Berlin added there was no safe level for salmonella cells in ready-to-eat products and the organism could survive in chocolate for years.

Cadbury has apologised for failing to realise a leaking pipe at its factory in Marlbrook, Herefordshire, posed a risk to health.

It pleaded guilty earlier this year to breaching food and hygiene regulations in connection with the outbreak in the summer of 2006.

More than a million products were recalled by Cadbury on June 23 last year and it has already spent £20 million on improvements, including changes to quality control procedures.