Cadbury in court on hygeine charges

Jul 3 2007

BIRMINGHAM-based Confectionery giant Cadbury has appeared in court charged under food and hygiene regulations relating to its Marlbrook plant in Herefordshire.

The company did not enter a formal plea but its lawyers said that the chocolate-maker intended to plead guilty to six counts of contravening food hygiene regulations.

A Herefordshire Council spokesman said the charges related to the condition of Cadbury's site near Leominster between February 2006 and November 2006.

In particular, he said, they related to the state of repair of a drainage pipe and roof vent, the layout of the factory, the provision of drainage facilities and the cleaning and disinfection of equipment, including conveyors and storage silos.

The charges follow a 12-month investigation by the council's environmental health and trading standards service.

The brief hearing at Hereford Magistrates' Court was adjourned until July 13, when it will resume at Birmingham Crown Court.

Last month, Cadbury pleaded guilty to three offences under food and hygiene regulations in connection with a salmonella scare that led to the recall of more than a million chocolate bars.

Cadbury will be sentenced for these offences at the same hearing in Birmingham on July 13.