BBC NEWS | UK | Cadbury recall after health fears

The 250g Dairy Milk Turkish, Dairy Milk Caramel and Dairy Milk Mint bars, the Dairy Milk 8 chunk and the 1kg Dairy Milk bar are among products affected.

The 105g Dairy Milk Buttons Easter Egg and the Freddo bar were also affected.

The contamination was caused by a leaking pipe at Cadbury's Marlbrook plant, near Leominster, Herefordshire.

The leak was discovered in January with samples sent to an independent laboratory where a rare strain of salmonella was identified.

Government watchdog the Health Protection Agency (HPA) confirmed the strain and, a week ago, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) was alerted.

On Monday, Cadbury officially informed the FSA of the possible contamination of the seven products.

'Precautionary measure'

A Cadbury spokesman said the recall had been carried out "purely as a precautionary measure".

"The levels are significantly below the standard that would be any health problem, but we are taking this measure as a precaution.

"If there are people who have eaten one of these chocolate bars today they should not worry, but they can get in touch with us if they are concerned for a full refund."

AFFECTED CHOCOLATE PRODUCTS Dairy Milk Turkish 250g Dairy Milk Caramel Dairy Milk Mint bars Dairy Milk 8 chunk Dairy Milk 1kg bar Dairy Milk Buttons Easter Egg 105g 10p Freddo bar

The FSA said it was advising people not to eat the products and is carrying out an investigation.

The HPA is also carrying out an investigation.

The factory at Marlbrook generates 97,000 tonnes of milk chocolate crumb every year.

It processes 180 million litres of fresh milk, 56,000 tonnes of sugar and 13,000 tonnes of cocoa liquor annually in the production process.

The crumb is transported to other sites at Bournville, near Birmingham, and Somerdale, near Bristol, to be blended with cocoa butter and turned into milk chocolate.

The spokesman said the company had been manufacturing chocolate for more than 100 years and always treated public wellbeing as its "highest priority".

The free helpline number for Cadbury is 0800 818181.

Uneaten products should be returned to Cadbury Recall, Freepost MID20061, Birmingham B3O 2QZ, and a refund will be given.