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Cadbury fined £1m over salmonella | Cadbury fined £1m over salmonella |
(20 minutes later) | |
Confectionery giant Cadbury has been fined £1m for food and hygiene offences over a salmonella outbreak in which more than 40 people fell ill. | Confectionery giant Cadbury has been fined £1m for food and hygiene offences over a salmonella outbreak in which more than 40 people fell ill. |
The outbreak at the firm's plant in Herefordshire led to the recall of more than a million bars in the UK. | The outbreak at the firm's plant in Herefordshire led to the recall of more than a million bars in the UK. |
The Birmingham company admitted nine charges brought by Herefordshire and Birmingham councils. | The Birmingham company admitted nine charges brought by Herefordshire and Birmingham councils. |
Birmingham Crown Court was told the outbreak was caused by a leaking pipe at the Marlbrook factory. | Birmingham Crown Court was told the outbreak was caused by a leaking pipe at the Marlbrook factory. |
The firm was also ordered to pay an additional £152,000 in costs at Monday's hearing. | The firm was also ordered to pay an additional £152,000 in costs at Monday's hearing. |
Birmingham City Council is responsible for enforcing health and safety laws at Cadbury's plant in Bournville. | Birmingham City Council is responsible for enforcing health and safety laws at Cadbury's plant in Bournville. |
Food safety | Food safety |
Separately Herefordshire Council also prosecuted the company over the state of its factory near Leominster where some of the ingredients of the chocolate were processed. | Separately Herefordshire Council also prosecuted the company over the state of its factory near Leominster where some of the ingredients of the chocolate were processed. |
Salmonella was found in some of the firm's products between January and March 2006 and Cadbury's recalled many of its products on 23 June. | Salmonella was found in some of the firm's products between January and March 2006 and Cadbury's recalled many of its products on 23 June. |
A total of 42 people fell ill and three had to receive hospital treatment. | A total of 42 people fell ill and three had to receive hospital treatment. |
Recorder James Guthrie QC fined Cadbury £500,000 for putting unsafe chocolate on sale and £100,000 on each of two other charges brought by Birmingham City Council. | Recorder James Guthrie QC fined Cadbury £500,000 for putting unsafe chocolate on sale and £100,000 on each of two other charges brought by Birmingham City Council. |
The judge also fined the firm £50,000 for each of six offences relating to food safety breaches at its factory in Marlbrook, Herefordshire. | The judge also fined the firm £50,000 for each of six offences relating to food safety breaches at its factory in Marlbrook, Herefordshire. |
At the hearing on Friday the court heard how Cadbury changed its quality-testing systems, allowing salmonella to enter its chocolate bars, to save money. | At the hearing on Friday the court heard how Cadbury changed its quality-testing systems, allowing salmonella to enter its chocolate bars, to save money. |
'Serious negligence' | 'Serious negligence' |
However, the judge said he did not believe the firm had made the changes in a deliberate cost-cutting attempt. | However, the judge said he did not believe the firm had made the changes in a deliberate cost-cutting attempt. |
Recorder Guthrie said: "I regard this as a serious case of negligence. | Recorder Guthrie said: "I regard this as a serious case of negligence. |
"It therefore needs to be marked as such to emphasise the responsibility and care which the law requires of a company in Cadbury's position." | "It therefore needs to be marked as such to emphasise the responsibility and care which the law requires of a company in Cadbury's position." |
Sallie Booth, the solicitor representing 12 people affected by the contaminated chocolate, said: "Our clients are relieved that Cadbury have pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them, and in doing so accept their responsibility to the public. | Sallie Booth, the solicitor representing 12 people affected by the contaminated chocolate, said: "Our clients are relieved that Cadbury have pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them, and in doing so accept their responsibility to the public. |
"The £1m fine sends a clear message that companies who have a great deal of responsibility for protecting public health cannot afford to ignore a potentially dangerous situation and cannot take a risk with the public's health." | "The £1m fine sends a clear message that companies who have a great deal of responsibility for protecting public health cannot afford to ignore a potentially dangerous situation and cannot take a risk with the public's health." |
'Sincere regrets' | |
A spokesman for Cadbury apologised and offered the company's "sincere regrets" to the people who were taken ill. | |
He said: "Quality has always been at the heart of our business, but the process we followed in the UK in this instance has been shown to be unacceptable. | |
"We have apologised for this and do so again today. In particular, we offer our sincere regrets and apologies to anyone who was made ill as a result of this failure. | |
"We have spent over £20m in changing our procedures to prevent this ever happening again." |
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