Cornwall Council’s Trading Standards Team launched a county-wide investigation into the sale of out-of-date food by Asda stores following a number of consumer complaints.
An inspection at Asda’s Penryn store on 30 October 2023 found 58 food items on shelves past their use-by date, several of which were aimed at children.
According to Trading Standards, many of the items were ready to eat foods, including children’s yoghurts which were nearly four weeks past the use-by date.
Second investigation
A separate inspection of the Asda store in Hayle on 1 November 2023 found a further four items past the use-by date.
On Wednesday 23 April 2025 at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court, Asda Stores Ltd pleaded guilty to two charges of having unsafe food on offer for sale contrary to regulation 19 of the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.
District Judge Jo Matson said that although there were systems in place to prevent the sale of food after the expiry of the use by date, they were not adhered to. She added that after concerns had been raised by customers and Trading Standards officers, the actions taken by Asda were not sufficient.
Fine and costs
Asda Stores Ltd was ordered to pay a fine of £410,000, prosecutions costs of £20,582.70 and a victim surcharge of £2,000.
Jane Tomlinson, Trading Standards group leader at Cornwall Council, said: “We are committed to ensuring that the food sold to consumers is safe and it is disappointing that on these occasions, we found items for sale which could have presented a danger to the public.
“Consumers should be confident that the food they buy is safe to eat. We hope that the steps Asda Stores Ltd have now put in place will prevent the sale of out-of-date food in future.”
Meanwhile, last week saw Asda recall a pork product because it contained allergens that were not declared on the label.
