Cadbury deal threatened by credit crunch

Cadbury Schweppes’ £8bn (€11bn) sale of its US drinks business could be under threat as bidders struggle to raise debt in tightening credit markets, it was reported today.

The sale of the US business, which includes Dr Pepper, Snapple and 7-UP may be delayed or even cancelled after banks were forced to lower the amount of debt used to back the deal, the Times newspaper said.