MDA Reports Weights and Measures Law Violations

ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 29, 2012) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) Weights and Measures reported the following enforcement activity between March 1 and May 30, 2012.

• Grand Mart, Gaithersburg – On March 1, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Advanced Auto Parts # 8597, Silver Spring – On March 9, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for price verification.
• Foods #52, Gaithersburg – On March 12, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• H&A Supermarket, Langley Park – On March 30, MDA received $1,000 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• HA HA Food Market, Baltimore – On March 30, MDA received $1,000 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Harris Teeter #403, Olney – On March 30, MDA received $750 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Safeway # 1315, Rockville – On March 30, MDA received $750 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• J’s Produce Market, Reisterstown – On April 6, MDA received $250 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Mega Supermarket International, Riverdale – On May 1, MDA received $2,000 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Safeway #2713, Bowie – On May 1, MDA received $2,000 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Giant Food #135, Silver Spring – On May 4, MDA received $1,500 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Giant Food #127, Olney – On May 4, MDA received $750 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Giant Food #357, Bethesda – On May 4, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Giant Food #198, Potomac – On May 4, MDA received $2,000 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Giant Food #108, Baltimore – On May 4, MDA received $1,500 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Giant Food #125, Rockville – On May 4, MDA received $2,000 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Giant Food #329, Rockville – On May 4, MDA received $2,000 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Giant Food #326, Lanham – On May 4, MDA received $2,000 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• H Mart, Gaithersburg – On May 7, MDA received $2,000 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Giant Food #366, Silver Spring – On May 8, MDA received $1,000 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Advanced Auto Parts #5106, Baltimore – On May 31, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for price verification.
• Advanced Auto Parts # 1602, LaVale – On May 31, MDA received $1,000 for a civil penalty assessed for price verification.
• Advanced Auto Parts # 6407, Cumberland – On May 31, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for price verification.

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 2011, MDA field staff conducted more than 37,500 inspections of commercial weighing and measuring devices, inspected and tested more than 9,200 individual lots of prepackaged commodities (representing approximately 230,000 packages) offered for sale, and investigated more than 560 consumer complaints. Price verification inspections were conducted at 138 non-food stores. Thirty seven firms received civil penalties for misrepresenting unit price violations. In FY 2011, Weights and Measures imposed $83,500 in civil penalties for violations.
For more information or to file a complaint, call 410-841-5790, or visit: www.mda.state.md.us/weights_measures/index.php.

MDA’s Regulatory Information Center is designed to provide information to the public about enforcement actions the department takes in response to violations of state laws or regulations. This information includes administrative, civil and criminal enforcement actions. For more information visit:  www.mda.state.md.us/news_room/reg_center.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.