Claims made on the crisp packet were untrue

Northamptonshire trading standards officers disputed the supermarket's claim that some of its Italian products were made from recipes dating back to the 19th Century and earlier.

The charges arose from claims made for Sainsbury's tomato, olive oil and basil traditional pan-fried crisps, lemon amaretti, fresh five cheese tortelloni, hazelnut meringues and tiramisu.

The products were found at branches in Northall Street, Kettering, and Sixfields, Northampton.

The lemon amaretti packaging said the recipe dated back to 1860, which was false, as the ingredients were not consistent with the recipe.

Sainsbury's admitted its crisps were cooked in sunflower oil and only contained olive oil flavouring.

The company pleaded guilty to four charges, and asked for two other matters to be taken into consideration.

Sainsbury's was fined £4,500 and ordered to pay £1,710 costs.

Magistrates said it was disappointing that a company of the quality and size of Sainsbury's was in court over matters that could well have been avoided.