Co-op Foodstores Ltd fined £40,000 for out of date food
Co-op Foodstores Ltd was convicted at High Wycombe Magistrates Court on 23rd October 2020, after pleading guilty to having 17 food items for sale at their store in High Street, Crowthorne, past their used by dates and therefore deemed unsafe. The Co-op was ordered to pay a £40,000 fine, a victim’s surcharge of £110 and costs of £6079.50.
The case was brought following an investigation by officers from the Councils shared Public Protection Partnership supported by the PPP Joint Case Management Unit acting for Bracknell Forest Council.
On 21st October 2018, Trading Standards conducted a routine inspection at the Co-op store. During the inspection 17 items which had expired use by dates were found on display, the majority of the items were found in the fresh meat and fish sections, a few in the promotional end of aisles and the rest elsewhere in the fridge and were available for purchase. Items included a cheese & onion quiche which was 7 days out of date, 4 packs of jumbo King Prawns which were 4 days past the use by date, 7 Co-op Roast in the Bag British Whole Chickens which were 3 & 4 days past the use by date. A Chicken Mini Roast, which was 2 days past the use by date and several other items were 1 day past the use by date.
On checking the store’s documentation, records indicated that many of the checks were not done in full, and whilst systems may have been in place at this store, those systems were not effectively being implemented, supervised or reviewed by employees, and store management.
Accepting guilt, the Co-op emphasised they have good procedures and they have since invested in improving systems to ensure that this did not occur again. Food past its use-by date is deemed in law to be unsafe.
The case took some time to conclude as it was adjourned pending the outcome of a Court of Appeal case related to application of the law governing use-by dates.
Commenting on the case Cllr John Harrison, Executive Member for Culture Delivery and Public Protection at Bracknell Forest Council as well as Vice Chair of the Joint Public Protection Committee, said ‘Ensuring that food laws designed to protect consumers are complied with is an important priority for the Council. The penalty acts as a reminder to businesses big and small the importance of having robust checking systems and ensuring they are effectively implemented.
If any Bracknell resident has concerns regarding any food premise they should contact our public protection service.
Anyone wishing to report any matters of this nature or any other public protection matter can contact the service on 01635 503242.
