Asda, one of the UK’s largest supermarket chains, has been hit with a significant fine of £130,000 after being found guilty of multiple breaches of food safety regulations.
The penalty was handed down following a series of inspections by environmental health officers, who discovered various items being sold past their use-by dates.
Among the spoiled products identified were packets of ham and cheese, posing a direct risk to public health.
The prosecution successfully argued that the supermarket's internal procedures for managing stock rotation and ensuring the removal of expired goods were severely inadequate.
While the fine itself is substantial, the reputational damage to a major retailer over such fundamental health and safety failures is also significant.
Supermarkets are mandated to maintain rigorous control over the freshness and safety of their perishable stock, and the discovery of multiple out-of-date items points to systemic management issues within the local stores or supply chain handling.
The judge noted that the fine serves as a clear warning to all retailers that basic food hygiene and safety standards must be maintained at all times.
Asda stated in its defence that steps have been taken to rectify the operational failures and apologised to customers, but the severity of the fine reflects the serious view the courts take on any breach of consumer protection relating to food safety.
The penalty was handed down following a series of inspections by environmental health officers, who discovered various items being sold past their use-by dates.
Among the spoiled products identified were packets of ham and cheese, posing a direct risk to public health.
The prosecution successfully argued that the supermarket's internal procedures for managing stock rotation and ensuring the removal of expired goods were severely inadequate.
While the fine itself is substantial, the reputational damage to a major retailer over such fundamental health and safety failures is also significant.
Supermarkets are mandated to maintain rigorous control over the freshness and safety of their perishable stock, and the discovery of multiple out-of-date items points to systemic management issues within the local stores or supply chain handling.
The judge noted that the fine serves as a clear warning to all retailers that basic food hygiene and safety standards must be maintained at all times.
Asda stated in its defence that steps have been taken to rectify the operational failures and apologised to customers, but the severity of the fine reflects the serious view the courts take on any breach of consumer protection relating to food safety.