Safeway, Albertsons and Von's have settled a complaint in Sonoma County, CA and will pay a $4 million penalty.  According to County Attorney Carla Roderiquez, the retailers engaged in charging higher prices than those advertised or posted and in addition, based costs of items on inaccurate weights.  An investigation demonstrated that meat, baked goods and some other items had short weight compared to packaged labels.  The two companies also failed to disclose exclusions on club card programs. 

County Attorney Roderiquez stated, “Trusting companies to sell products to consumers that are accurately weighed and priced, especially in today’s economy, is a priority to my office.”  She added, “My Environmental and Consumer Law Division works with the Sonoma County Agricultural Commission, Weighs and Measures Department to make sure businesses in our community charge consumers correctly.”  The grocers are now enjoined from engaging in false or misleading advertising and are prohibited from applying 14 unfair practices identified in the investigation.

Given controversy over the proposed merger between Albertsons and Kroger it would be presumed that the companies and their subsidiaries would exercise squeaky clean ethical, marketing and operational procedures, at least until litigation is concluded.