By: Richard L. Smith
A popular grocery chain has agreed to pay $75,000 in penalties and overhaul its labeling practices after investigators discovered spoiled beef and poultry being sold under misleading freshness dates, according to a statement from the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs.
The case began when customers complained about spoiled meat at the Stop & Shop on Route 37 in Toms River. Investigators later expanded their probe to all five Ocean County locations, where they uncovered what officials described as “systemic mislabeling practices.”
Authorities said beef and poultry were stamped with dates reflecting when products were placed on display rather than their actual packaging dates, creating the appearance of freshness long after delivery.
In some cases, expiration dates exceeded those recommended by wholesalers.
“In one instance, a wholesale box delivered in February was not opened until March, yet it was labeled as if it had been freshly packaged that day,” investigators reported.
Officials noted that Stop & Shop had moved away from in-store butchers, relying instead on prepackaged meats from outside suppliers.
Consumer Protection investigators Andrew Chencharik and Anthony Fontana led the inquiry, with legal oversight from attorney Laura Comer and county Consumer Affairs Director Ronald Heinzman.
“This was a serious breach of consumer trust and confidence,” Heinzman said. “Consumer Affairs took a strong position that this was an immediate public safety, health, and welfare issue.”
Under the consent agreement, Stop & Shop must immediately implement stricter safeguards at all 46 of its New Jersey stores to ensure accurate product labeling.
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and Division of Consumer Affairs were also briefed on the findings to ensure accountability beyond Ocean County.
Ocean County Commissioner Robert S. Arace praised the investigation, calling it “a matter of considerable importance” and commending officials for protecting residents.
Stop & Shop corporate representatives cooperated with the probe but initially downplayed the issue as a “mislabeling problem,” county officials said.