Save Mart Supermarkets, the largest regional grocer in California, has agreed to pay $1.6 million to resolve allegations that it violated state health and safety laws by selling certain products past their expiration or “use by” dates, prosecutors said.
The settlement was announced Friday by the district attorneys of Marin, Solano, Sonoma, San Joaquin, El Dorado and Yolo counties who brought the complaint against the company, which does business as Save Mart, Lucky, Lucky California, FoodMaxx and Max Value Food.
The allegations were related to the sale of expired over-the-counter drugs, infant formula, and baby food past their “use by” date, prosecutors said in a news release.
“Consumers expect that the products they purchase at supermarkets are not expired, or beyond the ‘use by date’ provided by the manufacturer.” Carla Rodriguez, Solano County District Attorney
Save Mart, which neither admitted nor denied liability, was ordered by a Yolo County Superior Court to pay $1,550,000 in civil penalties and costs and $40,000 in restitution to a trust that funds consumer related litigation, prosecutors said.
“Consumers expect that the products they purchase at supermarkets are not expired, or beyond the ‘use by date’ provided by the manufacturer,” Solano County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez said. “We are proud to partner with other district attorneys around the state in bringing this important consumer protection action.”
The Save Mart Companies, based in Modesto, operate nearly 200 stores across California and Nevada, according to the company’s website. Kingswood Capital Management LP, a privity equity firm based in Los Angeles, acquired the company in 2022.
