CIEH welcomes Cadbury hygiene fine
The high profile prosecution of Cadbury's over food hygiene breaches has been welcomed by the professional body representing environmental health officers.
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) believes the £1m fine handed out to confectionery giant Cadbury's in the wake of last year's food poisoning outbreak sends a strong message to other food producers.
Commenting on the case, CIEH Policy Officer Jenny Morris said: "This case clearly shows that all food businesses - regardless of their size - need to place food safety at the top of their priorities.
"To protect public health, food businesses must be honest, transparent and open when dealing with food enforcement authorities. Businesses must ensure that risk assessments are based on the best available expertise."
More than 40 people became ill with salmonella after Cadbury sold chocolate which had been contaminated by a leaking water pipe at its Marlbrook plant in Herefordshire.
Over 1m chocolate bars were withdrawn from sale when the problem eventually came to light. Cadbury had initially failed to notify the authorities. Birmingham City Council bought a prosecution and the company pleaded guilty to nine food safety offences.
The company was fined £1m plus £152,000 in costs. The judge at Birmingham Crown Court said that Cadbury had been guilty of "a serious case of negligence".
CIEH's Ms Morris continued: "The CIEH believes regular inspections of food businesses to ensure that they are complying with the law are essential and vital.
"This incident shows that there are good reasons to inspect all businesses from time to time, even when food safety appears to be under control.
"All food companies are advised to take prompt action when problems occur in order to protect their customers and their business.
"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Birmingham City Council and Herefordshire Council for their effective investigation into the incident and the subsequent prosecution we witnessed today."
