• Harris Teeter 403, Olney – On June 29, MDA received a $1,500 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Safeway #2848, Bethesda – On June 29, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Safeway #1315, Rockville – On June 29, MDA received $1,500 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Safeway #853, Bethesda – On June 29, MDA received $2,000 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Ceriello Fine Foods, Baltimore – On July 6, MDA received $250 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Wawa #8502, Baltimore – On July 6, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for price verification.
• Giant Food #347, Largo – On July 10, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Giant Food #342, Marlow Heights – On July 10, MDA received $2,000 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Giant Food #362, Germantown – On July 10, MDA received $2,000 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Giant Food #192, Gaithersburg – On July 10, MDA received $1,500 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• CVS #5764, Baltimore – On July 12, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for price verification.
• CVS #3976, Baltimore – On July 12, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for price verification.
• Safeway #2753, Kensington – On July 27, MDA received $2,000 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Safeway #4868, Laurel – On July 27, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Jumbo Food International, Temple Hills – On July 10, MDA received $2,000.00 for a civil penalty assessed for short weight.
• Rite Aid #3790, Langley Park – On July 31, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for price verification.
• Rite Aid #37, Baltimore – On July 31, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for price verification.
• Rite Aid #2210, Baltimore – On July 31, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for price verification.
• Rite Aid #11204, Silver Spring – On July 31, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for price verification.
• Rite Aid #2585, Hyattsville – On July 31, MDA received $500 for a civil penalty assessed for price verification.
• CVS #4411, Baltimore – On August 1, MDA received $1,000 for a civil penalty assessed for price verification.

During FY 2012, MDA issued a total of 93 civil penalties in the amount of $94,250, most for packaging short weight violations and price misrepresentation. MDA completed field inspections of 8,261 package lots with 19.4 percent in violation; 16,002 price scanning and method of sale was inspected with 3.4 percent in violation. MDA field inspectors conducted 1,067 large scale inspections, with 16.1 percent in violation; 743 medium scale inspections, with 16 percent in violation; and 8,385 small scale inspections, with 21.5 percent in violation. MDA also inspected 28,970 retail gasoline meters, with 19.6 percent in violation; 481 LP gas meters, with 27.8 percent in violation; and 1,104 vehicle tank and rack meters, with 12 percent in violation.  Inspectors tested 134 grain moisture meters, with 24.6 percent in violation. Other inspections include 2,072 tare inspections, with 11.9 percent in violation; and 1,294 inspections of delivery tickets, with 0.7 percent in violation. The state metrology lab conducted tests on 1,726 weights, with 13.3 percent rejected; 34 volumetric measures, with 41.2 percent rejected; 31 temperature devices, 2 timing devices and 405 grain samples.  The lab completed National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) re-accreditation in November 2011.

MDA also investigated 584 consumer complaints during FY 2012, most related to complaints about the accuracy of retail motor fuel dispensers. That is an average of 2.4 complaints investigated every work day.

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.maryland.gov/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.