Independent retailers have criticised Cadbury for its latest manufacturing problem.
Cadbury has admitted that some Easter egg products came from a line also used for products containing nuts but which had not been given warning labels. The packs involved include Cadbury Creme Egg Mini tube 160g, Cadbury Dairy Milk Caramel Mini Egg bag 100g and Cadbury Creme Egg Minis Easter Egg 98g.
A letter has been sent to retailers asking them to quarantine the stock and reps have since been visiting stores to put stickers on some products, declaring 'Allergy advice - contains nuts'.
This process was due to be completed by the end of the month and Cadbury did not expect any stock to be returned.
Most retailers had yet to receive their Easter stock and chocolate sales appear to be unaffected, however retailers contacted by C-Store are not impressed by the situation. Trevor Parkes, who runs Parkes News and Toys in Upton, near Poole, Dorset, usually has a big Easter egg display. He said both he and his wholesaler were in the dark about Cadbury's plans days after the recall announcement.
He added: "I heard they may be putting stickers on some eggs, warning people about nut allergies, but I don't know when that might happen, or which products are involved."
Trevor said that while sales had dipped after last year's scare, he had not noticed any brand-switching recently. He added: "People have long memories, though, and don't forget - it looks like Cadbury has messed up again."
Dave Chew, of Dave's Convenience Store in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, said the latest scare would not help Cadbury's image. He added: "It shows there's a bit of laxness in the company."
Last year Cadbury removed more than a million chocolate bars from shelves after a salmonella scare.