Cadbury sends Dairy Milk production to France

Oct 12 2006

CADBURY has launched Dairy Milk production in France to meet high demand, the company said today.

The confectionery giant's factory in Bournville, Birmingham, could not produce enough chocolate despite working "flat out".

It said the move to Blois, in France, was unrelated to the salmonella scare which prompted a mass recall earlier this year.

The overspill production across the Channel took place for several months earlier this year.

Chocolate crumb was made in the UK and then transported to France where it was turned into chocolate.

Cadbury spokesman Tony Bilsborough said: "Cadbury Dairy Milk has had phenomenal growth over the last three to four years. The factory in Bournville at some times was working flat out to meet demand, so in exceptional circumstances a small amount was made by our sister company in Blois, France."

The company could not say what proportion of Dairy Milk has been made in France.

Production has now switched back to Bournville following a £40 million investment in the factory.

Cadbury was forced to pull a million chocolate bars from shop shelves all over the UK earlier this year because of salmonella contamination at its plant in Marlbrook, Herefordshire.

Cadbury Schweppes has predicted the salmonella scare will cost the firm at least £20 million.

Local environmental health officers are still investigating whether the company breached health and safety regulations.

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