NYC Supermarkets Fail Pricing Inspections

SN STAFF

NEW YORK — About half of all supermarkets (52%) in the five boroughs of New York City were found to be violating pricing regulations, the Department of Consumer Affairs here said.

The results followed a year-long investigation that included 983 inspections. The DCA issued a total of 516 violations, the most common for lack of item pricing on the shelf.

In addition, nearly one in three scanners inspected for accuracy failed, and 48% of the supermarkets inspected charged incorrect taxes or incorrectly collected taxes on bottle deposits. Other problems included improperly weighed food and the unavailability of scales for consumers.

The supermarkets face potential fines of $380,000.

Bodegas had a higher rate of compliance, with 82% citywide and 94% in the city's poorest neighborhoods.