Asda fined for out-of-date food

Supermarket firm Asda has been fined £36,300 after trading standards officers found out-of-date food being sold in two Staffordshire stores.

The company pleaded guilty to 11 offences of selling food past its use by date at its stores in Cannock and Tamworth in November and December of last year.

Staffordshire County Council's trading standards had initially carried out a survey of stores in Stafford in November, through its team of community watchdog volunteers.

Tamworth Magistrates Court heard that on November 7, eight items were bought by the community watchdog volunteers in the Stafford store that were between one and two days past their use by date.

Trading standards officers visited the store to speak to the management and ensure no other out of date goods were on sale.

On November 8, officers visited Asda stores in Cannock and Tamworth and found more food on sale past its use by date. Both stores were cautioned by Trading Standards officers.

On December 6, officers returned to the store in Tamworth and again found food on sale past its use by date. Food bought during the three visits ranged from being one day to 24 days out of date. As a result, Trading Standards prosecuted the company.

Asda stated it has now changed its stock checking systems and re-trained staff. The company was ordered to pay £5,495 costs.

County Councillor Carol Dean, cabinet member for safer and stronger communities, said: "Consumers rightly expect to be able to buy food that is safe to eat and these Asda stores were letting their customers down.

"These operations are vital to safeguard the public and this subsequent prosecution sends a message to retailers, that selling out-of-date food will not be tolerated."