FOOD LION IS UNDER ATTACK BY CONSUMER; UNION GROUP

JOANNA RAMEY

WASHINGTON (FNS) -- Food Lion last week came under fire from an organization affiliated with union and consumer groups that accused the supermarket chain of selling infant formula well past its expiration date.

Consumers United With Employees, a long-standing critic of Food Lion's food safety and labor practices, forwarded its 198-page report documenting 831 cans of formula purchased at 317 stores to the Food and Drug Administration. The report was accompanied by a letter urging FDA Commissioner David Kessler to investigate.

In a statement, Food Lion said it will investigate CUE's allegations and take quick action if needed. The chain is offering free baby formula to customers who find out-of-date formula at its stores.

CUE's members include the AFL-CIO's Food and Allied Service Trades division. Another AFL-CIO affiliate, the United Food and Commerical Workers Union, has battled with Food Lion over issues including employee working conditions.

Food Lion called CUE's accusations an "action by the UFCW" and said it is "part of an ongoing campaign to disrupt Food Lion's business."