Margaret visits her local butcher, Chops Ltd, and buys 1 kg of Chops Ltd's own sausages, a pork pie bought in by Chops Ltd from a local pie manufacturer and 500 g of extra-lean minced beef, which is 25 per cent more expensive than ordinary minced beef. When Margaret and her family eat the food over the next few days they discover a piece of glass in one of the sausages, penicillin mould growing on the crust of the pork pie, and that there appears to be an excessive amount of fat in the minced beef.
a) Discuss the criminal liability of Chops Ltd and the local pie manufacturer.
b) What defences may be available to Chops Ltd and the pie manufacturer if they are prosecuted?
c) Advise Margaret about any civil action she may be able to bring against Chops Ltd and/or the pie manufacturer.