WHEN Kathy Moore tucked into her first bowl of muesli it didn't taste as good as she expected because it was seven months out of date.

Mrs Moore, 44, of Caprice Close, Middleleaze, bought a box of Jordans' organic crunchy muesli, with coconut and raisins.

She said: "I am having treatment for back problems and wanted to lose a bit of weight. Someone recommended muesli, so I decided to give it a go."

She bought the muesli from Asda, in West Swin-don, on April 19. Surprised by the taste, she inspected the packaging and discovered the best before date was August 2003.

Mrs Moore said: "I was mortified and spat it out. I couldn't believe the product was so out of date."

When she took the muesli back to Asda to complain the store admitted the error and offered her a replacement and refund.

The shelves were checked for more out of date muesli but none was found.

When Mrs Moore emphasised her dissatisfaction, she was offered a £10 voucher as a goodwill gesture.

Disgusted with the gift Mrs Moore said she was going to contact trading standards and the Evening Advertiser.

She claimed the offer of the voucher was then withdrawn.

She said: "It was silence money. I just want people to know this is going on."

Swindon Council's trading standards department told her there is little scope for legal action. Unlike use by dates, best before dates are only advisory.

Swindon Council's principal environmental health officer Jan Bardwell said: "It is an offence to sell food after the use by date.

"But with best before dates it is a quality, not safety issue. The muesli would not present a health risk."

Swindon Council tries to check stores for use by dates every year but best before dates may not be monitored for up to three years.

Mrs Bardwell said: "We have since paid the store a visit."

Asda spokeswoman Rachel Fellows said: "We have strict processes to make sure our products are in date.

"This was an exception which slipped though the net and we are very sorry.

"The £10 offer stands and we are happy to try and resolve the matter with the customer."

Victoria Tagg