Norwich Rite Aid named in expired products investigation
NORWICH – The New York State Attorney General announced Thursday he will be taking legal action against more than 112 Rite Aid stores and 142 CVS stores across the state that were allegedly selling expired goods.
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said undercover investigators were able to purchase expired goods, including milk, eggs, medicines and baby formula at several stores across New York State, including the Norwich Rite Aid Pharmacy, located at 82 North Broad Street in Norwich. Cuomo’s office began investigating pharmacies after receiving complaints from consumers, but received no reports of illness, spokesman Lee Park said in an Associated Press story.
According to the statement, released yesterday, investigators were able to purchase expired Ensure and Similac at the Norwich branch of the store. Investigators allege the Ensure, a nutritional shake product, expired on August 1, 2007. The Similac, a brand of baby formula, was said to have expired on Jan. 1, 2008. The inspection took place on March 31, 2008.
In total, more than 600 expired products were purchased by investigators at 154 stores in New York, some that were more than a year past their posted expiration date. The report found 21 stores in the Central New York region and 23 stores in the Southern Tier that were selling expired products. Other area stores found to be selling the expired products were found in Oneonta, Cortland, Binghamton, Endicott, Vestal and Johnson City.
“My ongoing investigation has uncovered a shameful disregard for public health in these stores,” said Cuomo in the press release. “Families across New York State buy products from these establishments assuming that they’re coming from a safe reputable source. However, when the products pass their expiration dates, they become ineffective and potentially unsafe, threatening to put out loved ones at risk.”
Cuomo sent a five day notice letter to Rite Aid and CVS, notifying both the companies of the intent to commence litigation against them. “These companies allowed personal profit to get ahead of their customers health. I am committed to protecting New York consumers and we will continue to investigate these troubling practices,” Cuomo said.
“We take the allegations in the attorney general’s letter very seriously,” said Rite Aid Director of Public Relations Cheryl Slavinsky in a telephone interview Friday. “Our policies have always been not to have outdated products on our shelves.”
Slavinsky explained that the inspections at the Rite Aid stores took place between March 28 and May 13, 2008. Since that time, she said all stores nationwide have been told to check the shelves and make sure there are no expired products. In addition, Rite Aid staff nationwide will be retrained on the procedure for removing products before they reach their expiration date.
“The company is taking this very seriously,” Slavinsky said. “We take the health and welfare of our customers very seriously.” Slavinsky said selling the expired products was not intentional and definitely not a decision made to increase personal profits. “Most of out manufacturers give us a credit when we return expired products. This was not a way of producing profits,” Slavinsky said.
No one at the Norwich Rite Aid could be reached as of press time this morning.
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said undercover investigators were able to purchase expired goods, including milk, eggs, medicines and baby formula at several stores across New York State, including the Norwich Rite Aid Pharmacy, located at 82 North Broad Street in Norwich. Cuomo’s office began investigating pharmacies after receiving complaints from consumers, but received no reports of illness, spokesman Lee Park said in an Associated Press story.
According to the statement, released yesterday, investigators were able to purchase expired Ensure and Similac at the Norwich branch of the store. Investigators allege the Ensure, a nutritional shake product, expired on August 1, 2007. The Similac, a brand of baby formula, was said to have expired on Jan. 1, 2008. The inspection took place on March 31, 2008.
In total, more than 600 expired products were purchased by investigators at 154 stores in New York, some that were more than a year past their posted expiration date. The report found 21 stores in the Central New York region and 23 stores in the Southern Tier that were selling expired products. Other area stores found to be selling the expired products were found in Oneonta, Cortland, Binghamton, Endicott, Vestal and Johnson City.
“My ongoing investigation has uncovered a shameful disregard for public health in these stores,” said Cuomo in the press release. “Families across New York State buy products from these establishments assuming that they’re coming from a safe reputable source. However, when the products pass their expiration dates, they become ineffective and potentially unsafe, threatening to put out loved ones at risk.”
Cuomo sent a five day notice letter to Rite Aid and CVS, notifying both the companies of the intent to commence litigation against them. “These companies allowed personal profit to get ahead of their customers health. I am committed to protecting New York consumers and we will continue to investigate these troubling practices,” Cuomo said.
“We take the allegations in the attorney general’s letter very seriously,” said Rite Aid Director of Public Relations Cheryl Slavinsky in a telephone interview Friday. “Our policies have always been not to have outdated products on our shelves.”
Slavinsky explained that the inspections at the Rite Aid stores took place between March 28 and May 13, 2008. Since that time, she said all stores nationwide have been told to check the shelves and make sure there are no expired products. In addition, Rite Aid staff nationwide will be retrained on the procedure for removing products before they reach their expiration date.
“The company is taking this very seriously,” Slavinsky said. “We take the health and welfare of our customers very seriously.” Slavinsky said selling the expired products was not intentional and definitely not a decision made to increase personal profits. “Most of out manufacturers give us a credit when we return expired products. This was not a way of producing profits,” Slavinsky said.
No one at the Norwich Rite Aid could be reached as of press time this morning.
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