Latest news with #England)Regulations2013
Wales Online
28-04-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Asda ordered to pay £432,000 after selling food four weeks past use-by date
Asda ordered to pay £432,000 after selling food four weeks past use-by date Any food displayed for sale past its use-by date is legally deemed to be unsafe Dozens of items were found to be past their use-by date at the Asda store (Image: Cornwall Trading Standards ) Asda has been fined £410,000 after it was found to be selling out-of-date food. Investigators from Cornwall Council's Trading Standard's department discovered dozens of items at one store were past their use-by date. These included several products aimed at children including yoghurts which were nearly four weeks out of date. Any food displayed for sale past its use-by date is legally deemed to be unsafe. County trading standards officers acted after receiving a number of consumer complaints, launching a county-wide investigation into the sale of out-of-date food at supermarkets. An inspection at Asda's Penryn store on October 30, 2023, revealed 58 food items on shelves past their use-by date. Article continues below Many of these were ready to eat foods including children's yoghurts which were nearly four weeks past their use-by date. A separate inspection at the Asda store in Hayle on November 1, 2023, found a further four items past the use-by date. Out of date products are deemed unsafe to eat (Image: Cornwall Trading Standards ) On Wednesday 23 April, 2025, at Plymouth Magistrates' Court Asda Stores Ltd admitted two charges of having unsafe food on offer for sale contrary to regulation 19 of the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013. The charges referred to 62 food items that were past their use-by date. The case was heard by District Judge Jo Matson who 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. 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. Article continues below Use-by dates are applied to highly perishable foods that could pose a serious health risk if consumed after this date. According to Food Standards Agency guidance they should not be eaten. 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.'
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
Filthy conditions at Darlington takeaway's 0* inspection exposed as ex-owner fined
Filthy conditions at a Darlington takeaway's previous zero-star inspection have been exposed as the venue's former owner is slapped with £1,600 in fines. Spice 4 U, on Cockerton Green, was told major improvement was necessary at a routine visit from food hygiene officers last September. Inspectors found a dirty premises, dirty equipment, and poor food handling practices at the site, handing it the lowest food hygiene score possible. And while Spice 4 U is under new ownership and has made improvements, currently holding a 'good' four-star rating, the venue's previous hygiene failings have now been revealed. Images from the food hygiene inspection at Spice 4 U on Cockerton Green in Darlington (Image: DARLINGTON COUNCIL) Shocking pictures from inside the venue show dirty light switches, a dirty drawer filled with kitchen utensils and other items such as rubber bands and a hammer, and dirty shelving. A number of immediate actions to improve the cleanliness of the premises and associated equipment were identified by the council which business owner, Shahin Ahmed Choudhury, Gresham Close, Darlington, failed to comply with. Following an interview under caution, the council progressed a prosecution under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013. Images from the food hygiene inspection at Spice 4 U on Cockerton Green in Darlington (Image: DARLINGTON COUNCIL) This week, at Peterlee Magistrates' Court, Choudhury was prosecuted for hygiene offences and ordered to pay more than £1,600 in fines and court costs. Darlington Council said the decision taken this week 'sends a clear message to business owners who fail to maintain appropriate standards of cleanliness within their facilities' that action will be taken by the authority. Brian Whelan, environmental health manager at the council, said: "Every week our environmental health officers visit local businesses to inspect the cleanliness of their facilities and how food is handled, stored, prepared and managed. Images from the food hygiene inspection at Spice 4 U on Cockerton Green in Darlington (Image: DARLINGTON COUNCIL) 'At these inspections, venues are awarded an official hygiene rating between 0 (urgent improvement required) and 5 (very good). "Prosecutions like these are rare and are only made where attempts to engage businesses and resolve issues have failed. 'Spice 4 U has a poor history of compliance with food safety & hygiene regulations, and we hope that the action taken will serve as a deterrent for future infractions." It is now under new ownership (Image: DARLINGTON COUNCIL) Councillor Chris McEwan, the council's cabinet member for economy, added: "The town boasts a huge variety of restaurants, pubs, cafes, takeaways, food vans and stalls, and I am delighted that 95% of all premises which serve food and drink demonstrate good or very good hygiene standards. Read More: Work underway at Bannatyne Ingleby Barwick for padel courts Estabulo 'reviewing future plans' of Darlington restaurant Flowers and messages as Stanley 'shooting' probe enters third day Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. . 'However, this serves as a reminder to the public to remain vigilant and to report any concerns about food establishments, including suspected food poisoning or allergy incidents, to our environmental health team which works tirelessly to ensure that the food available in Darlington is safe and that food businesses comply with the necessary hygiene legislation." People visiting takeaways or eating out in Darlington are encouraged to check the establishment's hygiene rating. Most businesses will display these in their window, but they are also available online at or via the Food Standards Agency app.
