Swindon council food safety officers allege that the company had 37 items of food on display last March which were between one and 12 days past their use-by date.

The officers also say that a further four items did not carry the appropriate markings to indicate the length of time they remained safe.

A spokesperson for Asda told the BBC that it treated anything of this nature very seriously.

Safe to eat

The charges relate to meat, seafood, sauces and sandwiches which were inspected as part of a routine check.

The alleged offences are in breach of food labelling regulations, and the Food Safety Act, which aim to ensure food subject to microbiological deterioration is sold while safe to eat.

Asda pleaded not guilty at Swindon magistrate's court on Wednesday.

The case has been sent for trial and a pre-trial review will be held on 24 March.