Cadbury fined 1m over salmonella

[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 Birmingham company admitted nine charges brought by Herefordshire and Birmingham councils. ]

Apparently that represents 0.1% of the company's pretax profits last year, according to Nick Huhne, Liberal Democrat food spokesperson.

Is the fine too much?
Is it too little?
Would a % of profits be a better fineas can occur for breaches of competition law?

[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. ]

Quality eh?
Try replacing veg fat with cocoa butter.

It's an exemplary fine.  The amount is largely imaterial

If you think it acts as a warning to the company when it barely amounts to a ticking off then Cadbury will be happy with that.

I hope the whole saga will affect their sales.  I think this episode has highlighted what low regard the company have for its customers.  They should be renamed Schmadbury's.

Furthermore, I'm ashamed that I ever liked their stuff.  At least now I know what real chocolate tastes like I find their products inedible.