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Food Distributor Fined for Changing Expiration Dates

April 21, 2009 — Food distributor HapCor has been changing the labels on Pepperidge Farms breads to extend the expiration date and recommended shelf life, according to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs.
Prompted by a customer complaint at an unidentified local supermarket, the DLCA Consumer Protection Services launched an investigation, found evidence of the label tampering and immediately contacted Pepperidge Farms and local stores carrying the brand, according to a DLCA statement issued Monday.
The investigation found the alteration was being made by HapCor and the bread was being distributed from its Florida Warehouse to several V.I. businesses. DLCA has fined HapCor for violating V.I. laws on label tampering, and HapCor cooperated and agreed to pay all fines, according to DLCA.
Telephone calls to HapCor's Florida headquarters Tuesday for a response were not answered. A message was left Tuesday morning on HapCor's voice mail asking for a response to the DLCA allegations, but there was no response as of press time.
Consumers who spot violations or have other complaints can call DLCA Consumer Affairs Director Howard Dyer on St. Croix at 773-2226, ext. 227; Special Assistant Beatrice Gumbs on St. Thomas at 774-3130, ext. 4270; or Karen Stapleton on St. John at 693-8036.
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