Cadbury salmonella-scare probe continues

An investigation into possible breaches of food safety rules at a Cadbury plant is not due to wrap up until next month.

Herefordshire Council’s inquiry is focused on the factory at the centre of a salmonella scare. A team of up to 10 staff have scoured the Marlbrook production site since the investigation launched last summer.

Herefordshire Council’s head of environmental health and trading standards, Andrew Tector, today said the probe should finish in March.

Birmingham City Council is still carrying out a separate investigation at Cadbury’s headquarters.

The two local authorities have not yet decided whether they would bring any potential legal action together or separately.

Mr Tector said: “We hope that by March we will be in a position to make a decision on the outcome of the investigation. We are looking at the plant where the chocolate crumb is produced that appeared to be contaminated.”

Birmingham City Council wouldn’t say when its investigation was due to end.

“In fairness to all parties we are taking every possible step to ensure our investigation is as fair and thorough as possible,” it said in a statement.

“In order to do this we have conducted hundreds of detailed scientific tests and are continuing to interview key witnesses from all over the country.

“Until the investigation is complete we are unable to speculate on the possible outcomes.”

Cadbury was forced to recall a million chocolate bars after last summer’s salmonella scare. The chocolate giant predicted the recall would cost the firm at least £20m (€29.8m).

The Health Protection Agency branded Cadbury’s chocolate the most likely cause of a salmonella outbreak which affected more than 30 people last year.