Asda controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Asda and Morrisons recall pasta products over possible Listeria contamination
Recall announced
Asda and Morrisons recalled three pasta products because of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The Food Standards Agency warned consumers not to eat the affected products. The recall was reported as a health risk.
Company response
Recall — Asda
Asda and Morrisons have been forced to recall three pasta products due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Recall — Morrisons
Asda and Morrisons have been forced to recall three pasta products due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Source excerpt
Asda and Morrisons have been forced to recall three pasta products due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The Food Standards Agency has warned consumers not to eat the affected Asda and Morrisons pasta products.
2021
Asda apologizes for fuel price error at Halbeath store
Company response
Asda apologized for a fuel price error at its Halbeath store that caused prices to jump on Saturday.
Company response
Apology — Asda
ASDA have apologised for a fuel price error at their Halbeath store that saw prices jump on Saturday.
Source excerpt
ASDA have apologised for a fuel price error at their Halbeath store that saw prices jump on Saturday.
2021
Supreme Court backs Asda workers' equal-pay comparison
Ruling
The UK Supreme Court backed an employment tribunal decision allowing Asda retail staff to compare their work with that of workers in warehouse distribution centres. The ruling concerns a stage of the case; the article says later stages will assess whether the roles are of equal value.
Company response
Denial — Asda
We are defending these claims because the pay in our stores and distribution centres is the same for colleagues doing the same jobs regardless of their gender.
Source excerpt
An Asda spokesperson said: “This ruling relates to one stage of a complex case that is likely to take several years to reach a conclusion. We are defending these claims because the pay in our stores and distribution centres is the same for colleagues doing the same jobs regardless of their gender.
The supreme court has backed a 2016 employment tribunal decision that the supermarket’s retail staff, who are mostly women, can compare their work to those in warehouse distribution centres.
More than 44,000 shop workers say they should be paid the same as the predominantly male staff who work in the chain’s depots, and who receive£1.50-£3 an hour more in pay than the shop workers.
2021
Four UK retailers recall seafood products over potential Salmonella
Recall announced
Sainsbury’s, Asda, the Co-op and Waitrose recalled a total of 12 seafood products over the potential presence of Salmonella. Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and the FSA urged customers not to consume affected products, promised full refunds and apologised; the Co-op said the recall was precautionary and that it was working with the FSA.
Company response
Refund or compensation — Sainsbury’s
Apology — Sainsbury’s
Refund or compensation — Waitrose
Apology — Waitrose
Source excerpt
Sainsbury’s, Asda, the Co-op and Waitrose have recalled a total of 12 products between them due to the potential presence of the bacteria, which can cause fever and diarrhoea.
The Co-op insisted the recall had been a precautionary measure and said it was working with the FSA.
2019
Asda product recall following food safety alerts
Recall announced
In September 2019, Asda, Boots and Waitrose recalled products after the Food Standards Agency issued alerts. The source does not identify the products involved or provide further details about the health risks. The recall is noted as a controversy involving Asda, but the available information is limited to the fact of the recall and the issuing of alerts by the Food Standards Agency.
Source excerpt
ASDA, Boots and Waitrose have all recalled products after alerts were issued by the Food Standards Agency.
2019
Houmous recalled over salmonella concerns
Recall announced
Zorba Delicacies recalled affected houmous products over contamination fears. Morrisons advised buyers of its Classic Houmous 200g tubs not to eat the product and to dispose of it; the retailer said it would refund the purchase. The recall was linked to salmonella concerns.
Zorba Delicacies recalled the affected houmous over contamination fears. Morrisons advised buyers of its Classic Houmous 200g tubs not to eat the product and to dispose of it; the retailer said it would refund the purchase.
Company response
Refund or compensation — Morrisons
We are sorry and will refund the product, this will credit your card / account in 7 – 10 working days.
Source excerpt
Zorba Delicacies Limited, who stock the Yorkshire-based retailers, as well as Sainsbury's and Aldi, is recalling the product over contamination fears.
Customers of Morrisons tonight received an email which advised that any buyers of Morrisons Classic Houmous 200g tubs should throw away the product due to the possible presence of salmonella.
2019
Asda fined for polluting a river in County Antrim
Fine or penalty
Belfast Magistrates' Court fined Asda £7,500 after the supermarket pleaded guilty to a red diesel spill at its Ballyclare store that polluted the nearby Sixmilewater river.
Company response
Remediation — Asda
the supermarket used contractors to carry out a clean up.
Apology — Asda
We are sorry for any upset or inconvenience this has caused.
Source excerpt
The Environment Agency used booms to contain the pollution and the supermarket used contractors to carry out a clean up.
The company pleaded guilty to a red diesel spill at its Ballyclare store which led to fuel getting into the nearby Sixmilewater.
Supermarket giant Asda has been fined £7,500 at Belfast Magistrates' Court for polluting a river in County Antrim.
2013
Horsemeat in beef product
Horsemeat DNA was found in Asda’s Chosen By You fresh beef bolognese sauce. The product was withdrawn and the company expressed anger and concern about the incident.
2007
Dairy price coordination
Asda admitted involvement in coordinated dairy-product pricing activity concerning 2002 and 2003. The Office of Fair Trading imposed an £18.21 million fine on Asda.