An Asda store in Sinfin, Derby, has been fined £250,000 for stocking more than a dozen food items that were past their use-by date. The discovery was made by council trading standards officers during an inspection, with some of the items found to be six months past the specified date.
The case was heard at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court, where Asda Stores Ltd was found guilty of 11 offences related to the incident. District Judge Jonathan Taaffe presided over the case and highlighted Asda’s failure to adequately address the issue or implement necessary improvements after earlier warnings.
Derby City Council trading standards officers uncovered 18 out-of-date food items on the shelves during an inspection in July 2021. The council emphasised the importance of use-by dates in ensuring consumer safety, noting that the dates are essential for highly perishable food items.
Asda Stores Ltd was also ordered to pay costs amounting to £74,117.69 along with a victim surcharge of £190. Councillor Shiraz Khan, in charge of housing and regulatory services, stressed the need to hold businesses accountable for breaching regulations, regardless of their size.
Victoria Rose, a trading standards officer, reiterated that customers should be able to trust retailers like Asda when purchasing food. She pointed out the severity of the situation, particularly when food items targeted at children were found to be six months past their use-by date.
An Asda spokesperson expressed regret over the incident, acknowledging that the store failed to meet the high safety and quality standards expected. The spokesperson reassured customers that maintaining fresh products on the shelves is a top priority for all Asda stores.
The verdict serves as a reminder of the council’s commitment to enforcing regulations and taking action against businesses that disregard food safety standards. It underscores the importance of upholding consumer trust and ensuring the edibility of products stocked in supermarkets.