Asda fined £130,000 for selling food past use by date
Knowsley Council has prosecuted Asda Stores Ltd for selling food past its use by date at its Huyton Lane superstore, in breach of the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013, SI 2013/2996. The retailer pleaded guilty to six offences and was fined £130,000, with £11,000 in costs awarded to the Council. The case followed inspections in February and March 2024, during which Environmental Health officers found 59 items on sale after their use by date had expired. The Council had previously advised the company to improve its date-checking processes, but further expired items were found during follow-up inspections. Use by dates are applied to perishable foods that may pose health risks if consumed after expiry. The prosecution follows similar cases in which Asda received substantial fines from Derby City Council and Cornwall Council for selling food past its use by date.