Bradford store sold yoghurts and meat past its "Use By" date

New Hey Limited, trading as New Hey Store, appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court to answer a case brought by West Yorkshire Trading Standards for stocking food for sale that was past its use by date.

An inspection last July found 22 items, including meats and yoghurts, were a total of 271 days past the date they become illegal to sell.

The case was launched after Trading Standards received a complaint from a member of the public that the business, at 124 New Hey Road, was selling food items past their use by date.  

Dipen Patel pleaded guilty to the company committing the offences under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 and was fined £2,666 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £1,066 and costs of £1,941.

Some of the food seized from the store (Image: West Yorkshire Trading Standards)

Patel also pleaded guilty to the sale of food past its use by date, was fined £576 and ordered to pay a surcharge of £235.

Foods with a use by date are highly perishable and should not be sold nor consumed after the date marked on the packaging.

Once past their use by date, they are deemed unsafe for consumption and thus it is an offence to make such items available for sale.  

David Strover, Head of Trading Standards (Business Services) said: “All retailers need an effective process for checking dates on food. 

“In this case the shop did not stock rotate adequately  and went on to expose for sale food past its use by date that was unsafe. 

“Although the number of items was not the worst we have encountered, the length of time past the date marked on the pack was considerable, and the items were unsafe for human consumption.

“Trading standards officers do routinely receive complaints about out-of-date food,  and we will undertake enforcement visits to investigate allegations of unsafe food being supplied in West Yorkshire.”

Bradford Councillor Sue Duffy, Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Joint Services Committee that oversees the work of Trading Standards said “It is clearly irresponsible not to check date codes on food - we would hope this case highlights the need for food retailers to be diligent.

"Trading Standards will investigate complaints about out-of-date food and take enforcement action in appropriate circumstances where serious breaches occur.” 

Consumers wishing to report illegal trading practices, including the sale of out-of-date food can call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.