Asda received a £640,000 fine after expired food items were discovered on the shelves of two of its Cardiff stores. It’s a serious matter. Food inspectors discovered over 100 items past their Use-By dates, including dairy products, ready meals, and meat. Some of the items were over 12 days past their expiry date..

We don’t expect this from one of the UK’s largest supermarkets. But four inspections in early 2024 told a different story. The visits showed a clear pattern: out-of-date food still on sale.

The case ended in Cardiff Magistrates’ Court, where Asda admitted guilt. The judge made it clear, having systems in place is not enough if they’re not followed. The fine was heavy, and rightly so.

We will study what went wrong, when it happened, and what Asda says it’s doing to fix it.

Timeline of Inspections & Violations

Between January and April 2024, Trading Standards and environmental health officers carried out four inspections at two Cardiff Asda stores, Leckwith and Pentwyn.

• Jan 17 (Leckwith): 36 expired items, including spicy mayo dip one week past its Use‑By date.
• On March 25, 25 expired items were discovered at the Pentwyn store in Cardiff Gate.
•  In April, 48 expired products were found at the Pentwyn store, with some being up to 12 days past their Use-By date.
•  During a second visit to the Leckwith store, inspectors found six more expired items.
• A total of 115 products were found to be past their Use-By dates.

Legal Case & Court Ruling

Asda admitted to four violations of the General Food Regulations 2004.. The case was heard at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court, presided over by District Judge Charlotte Murphy.
Judge Murphy noted that Asda had safety systems, but they were not followed properly.y
 The outcome was a £640,000 fine, along with prosecution costs and an additional surcharge.

Use‑By vs Best‑Before

• Use-by date is a legal cutoff on perishable items like meat, dairy, and ready meals.
• Selling after Use‑By is a criminal offence.
• The Best-Before date indicates how long a product will stay at its best quality, not how safe it is to eat.
• According to Trading Standards, most Asda violations involved Use‑By dates, where the risk is real.

Health Risks

Expired Use‑By items can foster harmful bacteria, leading to food poisoning.
Soft drinks and snacks are less risky, but dairy, meat, and ready meals can cause illness, especially in children, the elderly, and pregnant women.

Asda’s Response & Fixes

Asda said it regrets the breach and is making changes.
Since November 2024, they’ve rolled out a new system:

• Daily checks on short‑life items.
• Long-life items are inspected twice a week.

Past Incidents

This isn’t Asda’s first offence. Asda faced a fine of over £400,000 in April 2025 for offering expired food at its Cornwall branches. This points to systemic issues in stock handling and compliance.

Regulatory & Public Reaction

Cardiff Council’s Shared Services urged strong systems and clear oversight to prevent future incidents.
Trading Standards officers called for better staff training, while retailers face closer future scrutiny.

Conclusion

The hefty £640,000 fine shows that UK regulators take food safety seriously. Food safety isn’t optional. It’s a legal and ethical duty. Asda’s case must serve as a reminder: supermarkets must follow their systems. With rising watchdog checks, retailers can expect little room for error. And customers deserve safe, fresh food every time.

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Disclaimer:

This content is for informational purposes only and not financial advice. Always conduct your research.