According to an investigation by New York City’s department of consumer affairs, Whole Foods grocery stores have been labeling some items with the wrong prices.
The agency reported findings of more than 800 pricing violations since 2010.
Pre-packaged foods, such as chicken breasts and ready-to-eat sandwiches, were related to the violations. These foods are also typically priced by weight.
Julie Menin, commissioner of the city’s Department of Consumer Affairs, said, “Our inspectors tell me this is the worst case of mislabeling they have seen in their careers.”
Whole Foods could be fined with up to $1,700 per mislabeled item, which could ultimately total millions of dollars.
The store was previously penalized with an $800,000 fine for similar offenses last summer in California, and it said in a statement:
“We disagree with the DCA’s overreaching allegations and we are vigorously defending ourselves.”
Have you been overpaying for your chicken sandwich?