The attorney general says expired milk, eggs and baby formula made it onto the shelves of 20 CVS pharmacies across Connecticut and now he’s suing.
The investigation started when several people called Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, claiming CVS was selling expired products.
Blumenthal’s office chose about 40 CVS stores at random and investigators visited them in the summer of 2008. They found out-of-date products at 10 CVS stores, Blumenthal said. In the summer of 2009, they went out to 45 stores and found expired products at eight of those stores, plus 12 more.
The products include cough and allergy medicines, baby formula and antacids, and energy drinks and dairy products, including milk, eggs and yogurt.
“CVS’ failure to properly police and supervise its shelves -- allowing out- of-date medicine and potentially rotten food to remain -- is unconscionable and unacceptable,” Blumenthal said. “Especially appalling is the sale of expired baby formula -- which loses nutrients over time -- robbing infants of vital nourishment.”
CVS became aware of the specific allegations on Monday morning, according to a statement issued on Monday afternoon.
“The health and safety of our customers is our top priority and CVS/pharmacy has a clear product removal policy in place at all of its stores to help ensure that items are removed from store shelves before they reach their expiration dates,” the company statement says. “Any unintentional deviations from this policy that are brought to the company’s attention are quickly rectified for customers.”
Blumenthal is looking for money penalties for violations of the state consumer protection laws and to prohibit CVS from selling products with passed expiration dates.
“CVS peddled potentially tainted food and ineffective medicine. Whether CVS was careless or heedless or overzealous for revenue, it betrayed its trust to consumers,” Blumenthal said.
CVS officials said the company is fully committed to maintaining inventory management practices to prevent expired products from being sold to customers.
Blumenthal filed the lawsuit in cooperation with Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell Jr.
In 2008, investigators visited stores between Aug. 6 and 14 and found violations at:
- 358 West Main St., Avon
- 1875 Boston Ave., Bridgeport
- 303 White St., Danbury
- 839 E . Main St., Meriden
- 817 Bank St., New London
- 519 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook
- 279 Boston Post Road, Orange
- 467 Main St., Ridgefield
- 1650 Watertown Ave., Waterbury
- 397 Post Road East, Westport
In 2009, investigators visited stores between May 27 and Aug. 22 and found violations at:
- 358 West Main St., Avon
- 308 Berlin Turnpike, Berlin
- 1875 Boston Ave., Bridgeport
- 2610 E. Main St., Bridgeport
- 905 S. Main St., Cheshire
- 303 White St., Danbury
- 542 Providence Road, Danielson
- 1998 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield
- 1055 Farmington Ave., Kensington
- 839 E . Main St., Meriden
- 817 Bank St., New London
- 1099 New Britain Ave., Newington
- 519 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook
- 467 Main St., Ridgefield
- 323 Cromwell Ave., Rocky Hill
- 526 Meriden Road, Waterbury
- 131 Boston Post Road, Waterford
- 397 Post Road East, Westport
- 93 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton
- 47 Main St., Winsted
