Consumer Agency Alleges Whole Foods Has ‘Worst Case of Mislabeling’

From 80 extra cents for a package of pecan panko to a $14.84 overcharge on coconut shrimp, Whole Foods Market may be living up to its widely used nickname, “Whole Paycheck.”

New York City’s Department of Consumer Affairs said Wednesday that an ongoing investigation of the luxury food stores has found systemic overcharging of its customers for prepackaged foods. Investigators tested 80 items from eight Whole Foods locations.

READ: Why Organic Farmers Are Angry With Whole Foods

USA Today reports:

DCA Commissioner Julie Menin said the agency’s inspectors called the Whole Foods investigation “the worst case of mislabeling they have seen in their careers.”

“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,” Menin said in a statement.

Read more here.

–Posted by Jenna Berbeo