Woolworths has been fined $50,000 after having baby formula past its use-by date for sale at a store in Cairns.
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Queensland Health officials say there is no evidence any child was adversely affected but warn retailers and consumers to check use-by dates on food.
Woolworths Group was fined after pleading guilty to the breaches at its Abbott Street supermarket on Wednesday in Cairns Magistrates Court, Queensland Health says.
It's the second time Woolworths Group has been convicted for offences at the Abbott Street store for sales of food past their use-by date.
The latest fine came after the supermarket was inspected in July 2018.
Six food items were found for sale with between one and 152 days past their use-by dates. Five of them were infant formula.
Manager of environmental health, Brad Milligan, said Woolworths had failed to implement procedures at the supermarket to ensure all items were removed from sale before passing their use-by date.
"The main concerns with regards to infant formula relates to the potential decrease in the nutritional value of the product," Mr Milligan said.
"This is especially concerning where infant formula is the only source of nutrition for the child."
Woolworths also pleaded guilty in June 2018 for similar offences and was fined $45,000, and ordered to pay $2,842, in court costs.
Inspections at the Abbott Street store had found numerous items for sale had passed their use-by-date in breach of the Food Act, Queensland Health says.
The 2018 items included bread, fresh pasta, smallgoods, cheese and dips, and pre-cooked meals.
It's the seventh time the company has been convicted of similar breaches within Queensland in the past 11 years and the third time in far north Queensland in the past two years, Queensland Health says.
Australian Associated Press