Whole Foods has a reputation for being expensive—a reputation it is working hard to overcome so that it can compete better in the tough grocery market. But a recent investigation by the Department of Consumer Affairs in New York City suggests it may have more work to do. Sampling 80 different products sold in various Whole Foods stores throughout the city, investigators found that every single package was mislabeled regarding the weight of the products. Thus for example, a package of chicken tenders that actually contained 1.2 pounds of the product might have been labeled as containing 1.7 pounds. On average, customers were overcharged a remarkable $4.13 for chicken tenders, at a price point of $9.99 per pound. Other inaccurate labels were less egregious; the difference in price for pecan panko was just about $0.08. But a shopper who bought a package of coconut shrimp from Whole Foods would have overpaid by nearly $15. Other than contesting the allegations and asserting that it has never intentionally overcharged customers, Whole Foods chose not to comment on the investigation. But loyal shoppers might want to consider bringing their kitchen scales with them on their next trip to the store.

Source: Hayley Peterson, Business Insider, June 24, 2015