News

Supermarket chain CK Foodstores accused of selling expired meat

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

A POPULAR supermarket chain, CK Foodstores, has come under fire after it was exposed for selling meat that was up to 13 days past its use-by date. The shocking discovery was made by S4C’s investigative program, Y Byd ar Bedwar, which found nearly 50 items being sold or displayed past their expiration dates in several CK Foodstores.

Selling products beyond their use-by date is not only an offence but also poses health risks to consumers. Consuming spoiled meat can lead to various illnesses and complications. Therefore, it is crucial for businesses to adhere to proper food safety regulations.

MONITOR AND IMPROVE

CK Foodstores has pledged to “monitor and improve” its policies in response to the allegations. The supermarket chain operates over 30 stores across south and west Wales. While some stores may display the Nisa logo due to a partnership with the brand Nisa Local, it’s important to note that CK Foodstores independently owns and operates these establishments.

The investigation, which spanned nearly a year, focused exclusively on CK Foodstores. There is no suggestion that Nisa Local has been involved in the sale of expired food items.

During the probe, it was revealed that almost half of the 24 stores visited were selling products past their use-by dates. Specific examples include a piece of gammon that was 13 days expired at a CK’s store in Penclawdd, Swansea, and chicken drumsticks that were two days out-of-date at the St Clears store in Carmarthenshire.

Further instances of expired meat were found at stores in Birchgrove, Brynhyfryd, Burry Port, Cimla, Llandysul, St David’s, and Waunarlwydd.

PEMBROKESHIRE

In the Narberth store in Pembrokeshire, the investigative team even purchased a bag of gammon misshapes that were sold a shocking 10 days past their use-by date.

This is not the first time CK Foodstores has faced legal repercussions for such violations. Last year, the supermarket chain was ordered to pay nearly £30,000 for selling expired food and displaying unsafe products in two of its Swansea stores.

Nathan Barnhouse, director of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), emphasized the importance of use-by dates in ensuring consumer safety. He stated, “A use-by date is about safety. It may smell and look OK, but you won’t necessarily see the bacteria that could potentially make you ill. That could lead to hospitalization if you’re elderly, young, or have an underlying health condition. And just because you may have eaten food past its use-by date in the past and been OK, you may not be so lucky in the future. Shops shouldn’t be selling anything past its use-by date.”

In response to the accusations, CK Foodstores issued a statement to the program, expressing their commitment to customers and the communities they serve. They asserted that they would continue to enhance their policies and procedures to ensure customers receive quality items at reasonable prices. However, the company did not specifically address the allegations of selling expired products.

CK Foodstores said to the programme in a statement: “CK’s values all of its customers and the communities in which it operates.

“In recognition of its commitment to its customers, CK will continue to monitor and improve on its policies and procedures to ensure that its customers continue to receive quality items at reasonable prices.”

CK’s did not respond to the allegations of selling products past the use-by date.

The Food Standards Agency has highlighted the severity of selling meat beyond its use-by date, clarifying that it is not only a violation but also endangers public health.

As consumers, it is vital that we remain vigilant and demand accountability from businesses regarding food safety standards.

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

2 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Crime

Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood

Published

3 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.

SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST

Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.

COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION

Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.

Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.

She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.

The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.

Local Government

Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works

Published

4 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure

SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.

County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.

“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.

Urgent works underway

Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.

Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.

Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.

Further updates are expected later this week.