Wisconsin Grocery Store Settles for $1 Million, Allegedly Overcharged Customers

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) reported that inspectors found 1,202 products with net weights that were “unreasonably inaccurate” at several grocery stores in the state.

Consumers Overcharged in Roundy’s Short-Weight Violations Settlement

According to Supermarket News, Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc., an Ohio-based wholly-owned subsidiary of the Kroger Co. has agreed to pay over $1 million to settle allegations of widespread short-weight packaging and labeling violations.

The violations reportedly occurred at Pick-N-Save and Metro Market locations in the Milwaukee area.

These errors, discovered during inspections in December and January, led to an average overcharge of $1.44 per item, with the highest overcharge reaching $7.04. Products affected ranged from precooked meals and salad kits to fruits, vegetables, and baked goods.

Labeling Missteps

The violations didn’t stop at inaccurate weights. DATCP also cited 587 label errors, with 90 resulting in civil forfeitures.

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Among these were 55 instances of improperly selling products by count instead of weight and 35 cases of failing to prominently display net quantities on the packaging., according to the report from Supermarket News.

Consumer Protections Strengthened

“Consumers have a right to receive the true value of the products they pay for,” said DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski. He praised the work of the DATCP Bureau of Weights and Measures for ensuring fair prices and better compliance.

Roundy’s had previously received 63 warnings and paid over $20,000 in related penalties between 2018 and 2023 and had pledged to improve practices.

Measures include better employee training, updated procedures, and random internal checks.

How Wisconsin Residents Can Report Issues

Wisconsin residents who suspect misleading pricing or labeling can report concerns to the DATCP's website at datcp.wi.gov or by calling the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-422-7128.