Asda Rolls Out New Food Safety Procedures Following £500,000 Fine
Supermarket giant Asda has implemented significant changes across its entire UK store network after receiving a substantial £500,000 penalty for selling out-of-date food products. The retailer has confirmed the introduction of a comprehensive new date code checking system in response to the serious food safety breaches.
Barnsley Store Investigation Reveals Serious Offences
The enforcement action followed a detailed investigation by Barnsley Trading Standards, which discovered multiple food items being displayed more than two weeks past their expiry dates at Asda's Old Mill Lane store in Barnsley. Among the affected products were pizzas, curries, and tubs of hummus that posed potential health risks to consumers.
Asda pleaded guilty to five separate offences under the Food Safety Act and was ordered to pay £507,767 in combined fines and legal costs on January 29. The substantial penalty reflects the seriousness of the violations and the potential danger to public health.
New Checking System Implemented Nationwide
In response to the enforcement action, Asda has developed and rolled out a completely new date code verification process that now operates in every one of its supermarkets. The system represents a fundamental overhaul of previous procedures and aims to ensure that only the freshest products reach store shelves.
An Asda spokesperson acknowledged the shortcomings, stating: "We are disappointed that some out-of-date products were found on sale at our Barnsley store in 2024. This fell short of the standards our customers rightly expect and that we hold ourselves to."
Comprehensive Safety Improvements
The supermarket chain has undertaken multiple corrective measures beyond the new checking system, including:
- Extensive staff retraining programmes focused on food safety protocols
- Increased frequency of internal audits and compliance checks
- Enhanced monitoring systems for product rotation and shelf life management
- Strengthened communication channels between store management and head office
Barnsley Trading Standards confirmed that significant improvements have been made since the offences were discovered. A spokesperson commented: "While improvements have been made since these offences, including a new checking system, retraining and increased auditing in the store, the sizeable £100,000 fine per offence sends a clear message that non-compliance never pays."
Industry Implications and Consumer Protection
This case represents one of the largest recent fines for food safety violations in the UK supermarket sector and serves as a stark warning to all retailers about the importance of rigorous date checking procedures. The enforcement action highlights the critical role of local authority Trading Standards teams in protecting consumer health and maintaining food safety standards.
Asda has emphasised its commitment to maintaining the highest standards, with the spokesperson adding: "In the time since these products were found, we have introduced a new date code checking process in every Asda store to ensure the freshest products are always available for customers to buy."
The comprehensive changes implemented across Asda's national network demonstrate how serious food safety breaches can drive substantial operational improvements throughout major retail chains, ultimately benefiting consumer protection across the industry.
