TESCO LOSE COURT CASE OVER SELLING OUT-OF- DATE FOOD
Whilst all Supermarket staff are working hard for us, along with the other front- line workers in this horrid time, it appears that Tesco management, the largest food retailer in the UK, think that their customers don’t matter.
On the 17th March this year Tesco lost a Judicial review in Birmingham after they were found to have sold out-of-date food in several stores. Links to the story and judgement below:
https://www.cieh.org/food-safety-integrity/2020/april/tesco-loses-legal-challenge-over-sale-of-out-of-date-food/
https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2020/799.html
Well done to Birmingham City Council Environmental Health team in the first instance for helping to protect pubic health.
You may recall that as part of this petition we wrote to the ten of the largest supermarkets. In the Tesco reply to our Petition they stated:
“The safety of our food is our top priority and we are committed to making sure that our products are safe and comply with all applicable laws and regulations”.
Some may argue that actions speak louder than words.
This is not the first time that the problem of selling out-of-date food has occurred, as in 2006 Tesco were fined £7,000 for doing so in Bridgend, South Wales in 2005. Link below to this story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/4986330.stm
In 2010 Tesco were fined £10,500 for selling out-of-date food in two of their stores in Surrey. Link below.
https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/tesco-fined-10500-over-out-of-date-4824602
And yet again in 2011 they were fined £12,000, after having been previously fined £18,000 in 2009 for similar offences in two other stores in the Bracknell area.
https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/local-news/tesco-admits-15-charges-out-4213416
One may have thought that before food went beyond its sell by date, it would have been cleared from the shelves and donated to food banks etc. who could have ensured its use before the expiry dates, given that there is great need for this.
Also, as supermarket profits are booming at the current time, it would have very little impact, if any, on their profitability.
I should point out that Tesco are not the only company who have been fined for selling out-of-date food.
Be safe out there in this very challenging time for all and keep on helping each other.
Thank-you for your continued help and support.