Asda fined £640,000 for selling out of date food to shoppers
The supermarket giant faced four charges relating to the sale of out-of-date food items after food safety officers visited the stores on four occasions in 2024.
A visit to the Leckwith store on January 17 of that year found 36 out of date items, including five tubs of spicy mayo dip seven days out of date.
(Image: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
A visit to the Pentwyn store in the Cardiff Gate retail park on March 25 found 25 outdated items, while another visit to the store a month later found 48 items, including some that were 12 days out of date.
A second visit to the Leckwith store on May 8 found a further six out of date items.
Asda was given a fine of £640,000 and ordered to pay £15,115 in costs and a £2,000 surcharge.
Asda said the prosecution related to food safety breaches that took place last year, when a different date code checking process was in use.
An updated process that had been in place since November 24 involved daily manual checks on all short-life products and twice-weekly checks on every long-life product.
An Asda spokesman said: 'We regret that out-of-date food was found on sale at two of our Cardiff stores last year and accept that our usual high standards were not upheld.
'Since then, we have introduced a new date code checking process across all our stores, whereby every short-life product is checked daily so that customers can always buy the freshest products.'
A George at Asda product has been recalled from all stores across the UK, and anyone who has purchased it has been urged to 'stop using it immediately'.
The supermarket giant has pulled the product from its stores and is asking anyone who owns it to return it to a store for a full refund.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards warned that the George Baby 3-Pack Rompers with Zip sold by Asda presents a 'risk of injuries'.
The recall affects all sizes of the rompers up to 24 months and impacts the following barcodes: 5059201506212, 5059201505772,5059201506137, 5059201506151, 5059201506175, 5059201505796, 5059201506113, 5059201506199, 5059201505772, 5059201506137, 5059201506151, 5059201506175, 5059201505796, 5059201506113, 5059201506199.
⚠️Here is our monthly recall roundup for May⚠️
Visit https://t.co/UlMxAfbLUX for more information.#ProductRecalls #UkRecallsAndAlerts pic.twitter.com/XdLsrXPM2c
A warning from The Office for Product Safety and Standards says: 'The product presents a risk of injuries as some of the zips have sharp edges. This may lead to babies becoming scratched and injured during use.
"The product does not meet the requirement of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.
"Consumers are advised to return the product to their nearest ASDA store for a full refund."
An Asda spokesman added: 'George Baby 3PK Zip Rompers (all sizes up to 24 months) has been identified with a manufacturing issue.
"Some of the zips may contain sharp edges, which poses a risk of injury. This issue affects ALL sizes.
"If you have purchased the George Baby 3PK Zip Rompers from Asda, please stop using immediately.
"Bring it back to your nearest store where you will be given a full refund. You do not need your receipt. We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused.
"If you would like any further information, please contact: Asda Customer Relations – 0800 952 010"
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