Whole Foods accused of overcharging customers
JUNE 24, 2015
The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs is accusing large
chain grocery store Whole Foods of overcharging customers for
pre-packaged products.
NEW YORK (MYFOXNY) - The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs is accusing large chain grocery store Whole Foods of overcharging customers for pre-packaged products.
The items include meats, dairy and baked goods.
The DCA launched an investigation of the upscale chain during inspections dating back to 2010, reported the NY Daily News.
According to the DCA, examples of overcharges include:
DCA inspected eight packages of vegetable platters, which were priced at $20/package. Consumers who purchased these packages would have been, on average, overcharged by $2.50—a profit of $20 for the eight packages. One package was overpriced by $6.15.
DCA inspected eight packages of chicken tenders, which were priced at $9.99/pound. Consumers who purchased these packages would have been, on average, overcharged by $4.13—a profit of $33.04 for the eight packages. One package was overpriced by $4.85.
DCA inspected four packages of berries, which were priced at $8.58/package. Consumers who purchased these packages would have been, on average, overcharged by $1.15—a profit of $4.60 for the four packages. One package was overpriced by $1.84.
“It is unacceptable that New Yorkers shopping for a summer BBQ or who grab something to eat from the self-service aisles at New York City's Whole Foods stores have a good chance of being overcharged,” said DCA Commissioner Menin.
“Our inspectors tell me this is the worst case of mislabeling they have seen in their careers, which DCA and New Yorkers will not tolerate.
As a large chain grocery store, Whole Foods has the money and resources to ensure greater accuracy and to correct what appears to be a widespread problem—the city's shoppers deserve to be correctly charged.”
In a statement to the NY Post, Whole Foods denied the accusations.
"Whole Foods Market has never intentionally used deceptive practices to incorrectly charge customers," said spokesman Michael Sinatra.