NEWS WATCH: RALPHS, FOOD 4 LESS SPARED GRAPE FINE

RALPHS, FOOD 4 LESS SPARED GRAPE FINE

and Food 4 Less last week avoided heavy fines over a labeling mix-up. The two Kroger subsidiaries this summer advertised Mexican-grown grapes as California grown, a violation of California law that could have cost the chains up to $3,000 per every misadvertised product sold. Kroger officials claimed that the grapes, which were promoted in June and July, were mislabeled due to miscommunication between the chains' advertising and purchasing departments. The California Department of Food and Agriculture last week decided to drop the case, noting that during its investigation, it uncovered no "intention to deceive" customers.