A supermarket has been handed a huge fine totalling more than £40,000 after out-of-date jumbo prawns and quiches were found at a store in Bracknell Forest.
Co-op in Crowthorne accepted guilt and emphasised they have 'good procedures', despite selling food past its sell by date.
The supermarket has been slammed after 17 out-of-date products were found for sale during an inspection which took place in October 21, 2018.
READ MORE: Covid-19: Map shows different infection rates in Bracknell weekly
After being convicted at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on Friday, October 23, Co-op was ordered to fork out £40,000 in fines and pay a further £6,189.50 in costs.
During their inspection, Trading Standards found a cheese and onion quiche which was seven days out of date.
They also found four packs of jumbo King Prawns which were four days past the use by date, seven Co-op Roast in the Bag British Whole Chickens which were three and four days past the use by date.
Also among the findings was a Chicken Mini Roast, which was two days past the use by date and several other items were one day past the use by date.
ALSO READ: Kebab van fined £1k for breaking Covid rules
Co-op documents showed many of the supermarket’s food safety checks were carried out incorrectly.
Councillor 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."
Having pleaded guilty to charges brought against them, Co-op representatives said 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.
If any Bracknell resident has concerns regarding any food premise they should contact the public protection service on 01635 503242.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here