UK blames Cadbury for salmonella outbreak

LONDON, July 22 (Reuters) The UK Health Protection Agency has said the consumption of products made by sweets and soft drinks firm Cadbury Schweppes Plc was the key reason for a recent outbreak of salmonella in Britain.

''After carefully considering all the available evidence the (outbreak control team) concluded that consumption of products made by Cadbury Schweppes was the most credible explanation for the outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo,'' the agency said yesterday.

The agency said a study by its outbreak control team (OCT) found that up to 37 of 56 cases reported between March and July were linked to Cadbury products.

''The OCT believe the outbreak is over. There have been no new cases matching the outbreak strain reported since June 29,'' said a spokesman for the HPA.

Cadbury said on June 23 it had recalled more than 1 million chocolate bars in the UK and Irish markets as a precautionary move because they could contain minute traces of salmonella.

The company said at the time it had identified the source of the problem and rectified it and was taking steps to ensure these products were no longer available for sale.

''We regret that people have been unwell,'' said a Cadbury Schweppes spokeswoman.

''We have already announced that we have changed our testing protocols and implemented new procedures to reassure consumers that any product showing any trace of salmonella will be destroyed regardless of how low the level,'' she added.

At 1420 GMT, shares in Cadbury were down 1.1 percent at 518 pence, matching the percentage decline in the FTSE 100 index.

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