MDA Reports Weights and Measures Law Violations

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) Weights and Measures Section reported the following enforcement activity between June 24 and September 18, 2009.

Advance Auto Parts, California – On July 1, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for price verification.

Bloom #2707, Gaithersburg – On July 2, MDA received $750 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.

            Harris Teeter, Gaithersburg – On July 13, MDA received $1,000 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.

CVS #2373, Hyattsville – On July 13, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for price verification.

            Giant Food #329, Rockville – On July 13, MDA received $1,000 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.

           Giant Food #196, Gaithersburg – On July 15, MDA received $1,000 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.

          Advance Auto Parts, Westminster – On July 20, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for price verification.

          Staples #956, Glen Burnie – On July 21, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for price verification.

          Staples, #1222, Nottingham – On July 21, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for price verification.

         CVS #1456, Upper Marlboro – On July 28, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for price verification.

         CVS #1476, Forestville – On July 28, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for price verification.

         CVS #1800, Palmer Park – On July 28, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for price verification.

        T & M Mulch, Bel Air – On August 24, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for short measure.

        Bloom #2708, Rockville – On August 26, MDA received $2,000 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.

       Grand Mart, Gaithersburg – On August 31, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.

       Giant Foods #132, Bethesda – On September 9, MDA received $1,000 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.

       K-Mart #3586, California – On September 9, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for price verification.

       Safeway Store #1089, Gaithersburg – On September 10, MDA received $1,000 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.

       Safeway Store #1715, Rockville – On September 10, MDA received $750 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.

       Whole Foods #52, Gaithersburg – On September 10, MDA received $750 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.

       Safeway Store #1315, Rockville – On September 10, 2009, MDA received $750 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.

      Giant Food #198, Potomac – On September 18, MDA received $2,000 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.

Maryland weights and measures officials inspect and regulate devices used in determining the quantity of commodities as diverse as fuel oil, food products, livestock, grain, and precious metals. In Fiscal Year 2008, field staff conducted more than 38,000 inspections of commercial weighing and measuring devices, inspected and tested more than 12,800 individual lots of prepackaged commodities (representing approximately 126,000 packages) offered for sale, and investigated more than 700 consumer complaints. For more information or to file a complaint, call 410-841-5790, or visit:www.mda.state.md.us/weights_measures/index.php.

For more than 35 years, MDA has been protecting consumers and the environment and ensuring fairness in the marketplace through enforcement of the law. MDA strives for swift resolution to violations of the laws in the Agriculture Article and the deterrence of future violations by the regulated community.