Trading standards seized nine chilled products found to be a total of 91 days past their use-by date at an Asda superstore
Asda has been fined over £500,000 for repeatedly displaying out-of-date food items for sale at one of its superstores in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.
The food items, which included nine chilled food products, were collectively found to be 91 days past their use-by date.
They were seized at Asda’s Old Mill Lane store by trading standards officers in June 2024, following an earlier visit which led to a warning for the store.
The company pleaded guilty to five offences under the Food Safety Act at Barnsley Magistrates Court on 29 January, and was ordered to pay £507,767.77 in fines and costs.
“We expect businesses of all sizes to only sell safe food, and this significant result sends a clear message that we will always put people’s health and safety first, taking action where businesses fail to comply with legislation or respond to warnings,” said cabinet spokesperson for public health and communities, Wendy Cain.
During an earlier visit in March 2024, which led to a Food Standards Inspection, officers found 32 out-of-date food items for sale, spanning 11 different chilled products and totalling 581 days past their use-by date.
The retailer had failed to respond to warnings from inspections, the court heard, although it has since made improvements, including a new checking system, retraining and increased auditing in the store.
