Store sold uninspected meat, poultry, and egg products
BOSTON - A Worcester grocery store and its owners - who were warned on five occasions by federal inspectors about food safety violations - have entered into a consent decree with the government that enjoins them from violating food safety laws.
Binh An Market LLC, a Worcester grocery store, and its owners, Hiep N. Ho and Dominic V. Ngo, have entered into a consent decree that permanently enjoins them from violating the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act and the Egg Products Inspection Act. The government alleged that the defendants purchased and sold meat, poultry and egg products that were not inspected by the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and that they failed to maintain appropriate business records concerning their purchases of these products. The proposed consent decree has been filed with the court and is awaiting judicial approval.
“Selling uninspected meat, poultry and eggs risks significant harm to consumers," said Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb. “This resolution is designed to prevent this business from further jeopardizing the well-being of its customers."
“The Food Safety and Inspection Service is dedicated to protecting the public health by ensuring that meat, poultry, and processed egg products are safe, wholesome and accurately labeled," said Paul Kiecker, Acting Administrator for Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The United States Attorney’s Office filed its complaint after a series of USDA inspections of Binh An Market showed that the defendants were selling uninspected meat, poultry, and egg products and did not maintain records reflecting their purchases of the products. Since February 2013, the USDA has issued five Notices of Warning to the defendants for violations of the USDA food inspection laws. Under the consent decree, USDA investigators will have broad access to Binh An Market’s premises to inspect inventory and records, and defendants will face significant monetary penalties for any further violations.
Acting U.S. Attorney Weinreb and Acting Administrator Kiecker made the announcement today. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Sharobem of Weinreb’s Civil Division.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
