A SUPERMARKET giant has been fined �14,600 and ordered to pay �16,500 in costs after admitting its stores in Exmouth, Tiverton and Axminster had sold out-of-date food.

A SUPERMARKET giant has been fined �14,600 and ordered to pay �16,500 in costs after admitting its stores in Exmouth, Tiverton and Axminster had sold out-of-date food.

Tesco Stores PLC, who has a store in Salterton Road and an express shop in Brixington, pleaded guilty to seven offences of selling food past its use-by dates.

Tesco was fined a total of �14,600 and an additional �16,500 in legal costs to Devon County Council.

Exeter magistrates heard how Tesco supermarkets in Exmouth, Tiverton and Axminster had been caught selling out-of-date food.

The magistrates also heard how Trading Standards Officers discovered further offences following two complaints from Tesco customers.

Visits were made to stores across Devon in 2007 and 2008 and a total of 54 items were found to be on sale past their use-by dates.

Ken Endacott operations manager for the Devon Trading Standards Service said: "This case was brought because our investigations showed that the Tesco's systems to prevent sales of perishable foods after their use by dates failed on a number of occasions.

"We would hope that after today's hearing Tesco will review their systems to prevent this happening again.

"Consumers need to be aware that food past its use by dates can deteriorate in quality and consumption may be a health risk. "Customers need to check the date codes on foods before they buy them and before using them at home.