A team of experts has confirmed that contaminated Cadbury’s chocolate was the most likely cause of a salmonella outbreak. Up to 37 of the 56 cases reported between March and July are linked to the products.

It is the first time the Health Protection Agency has officially named Cadbury the likely cause since the confectionery giant recalled a million chocolate bars.

The HPA presented its findings to the Salmonella Montevideo Outbreak Control Team.

"After carefully considering all the available evidence, the OCT concluded that consumption of products made by Cadbury Schweppes was the most credible explanation for the outbreak of S. Montevideo," the HPA said in a statement.