Albertsons modified their existing programs to ensure products offered for sale are not expired
Woodland, CA – August 3, 2023 – On August 3, 2023, the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office, working closely with the San Joaquin and San Bernardino District Attorney’s Offices, settled a civil law enforcement action against Albertsons and their affiliated California stores. Albertsons operates two Safeway stores in Davis in Yolo County.
Albertsons owns and operates almost 600 retail stores in California which sell general merchandise, including over-the-counter drugs such as pain relievers, sunscreens, cough/cold/allergy medications, medicated shampoos, and skin treatments. Retailers in California are prohibited from selling any over-the-counter drug past its expiration date. The civil complaint, filed in San Joaquin County Superior Court, alleged that Albertsons offered for sale and expired over-the-counter drug products over the past four years.
Once notified of the violations found during the investigation, Albertsons was cooperative and conducted internal checks for expired over-the-counter drugs at all their California retail locations. Albertsons further invested time and resources to prioritize the verification of expiration dates and re-train store personnel. There was no evidence discovered during the investigation that the sale of any expired over-the-counter drug products resulted in harm to consumers.
“California’s District Attorney’s Offices Consumer Protection Divisions are dedicated to protecting all Californians. Today is another example of those prosecutors working together to make real change. The public should be able to trust that what they buy at any California store will not be expired before they bring it home,” said District Attorney Jeff W. Reisig.
Without admitting or denying liability, Albertsons agreed to be bound by a court order which prohibits any additional violations of California law related to selling or offering to sell expired over-the-counter drugs. As part of the judgment, Albertsons was ordered to pay $3,300,000.00 in civil penalties and investigative costs as well as an additional $200,000.00 in restitution.
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