An investigation into the Cadbury salmonella scare will get funding from the official food watchdog.
The confectionery giant recalled a million chocolate bars following contamination at its factory in Marlbrook, Herefordshire.
Local environmental health officers are investigating whether health and safety regulations were breached at the plant. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) will give Herefordshire Council money and manpower towards the probe.
Herefordshire Council spokesman John Burnett said the authority had requested £30,000 from the FSA's fighting fund to cover the drain on its resources.
He said: "We have a number of officers involved and a lot of man hours have gone into this so far. It could take several months before it is concluded."
Birmingham City Council has asked for an unspecified sum to cover its own public health investigation, which is also expected to last several months.
A Food Standards Agency spokeswoman said: "Herefordshire District Council's application for financial assistance has been approved and the Agency is considering the application from Birmingham City Council."
Responding to the FSA's decision to help fund Herefordshire's inquiry, Cadbury spokesman Tony Bilsborough said: "We continue to work closely both with the Food Standards Agency and the environmental health officers and this doesn't alter that ongoing relationship."
Cadbury Schweppes has predicted the salmonella scare will cost the firm at least £20 million. The company withdrew seven chocolate ranges from shop shelves in June due to the outbreak. Five of those have now been re-stocked.
The Health Protection Agency branded Cadbury's chocolate the most likely cause of a salmonella outbreak which affected more than 30 people earlier this year.
