Prosecutors added three new misdemeanor counts Tuesday against Ralphs Grocery Co. and its parent company, which are awaiting arraignment on charges that they overcharged customers for prepackaged and weighed products at stores throughout Los Angeles.
The newest charges against the grocery store chain are one count each of false and misleading advertising, mislabeling and selling prepackaged commodities in less quantity than represented, according to the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office.
Ralphs and its parent, Kroger Co., were charged May 11 with 59 misdemeanor counts stemming from a series of test purchases made at more than a dozen Ralphs stores.
Many of the violations were for the stores illegally charging for the weight of the package or for including the ice glaze on frozen products in the net weight, according to prosecutors.
Many prepackaged items were also found to be under the labeled weight, prosecutors allege.
Ralphs spokeswoman Meghan Glynn could not be reached for immediate comment on the latest charges. Last month, she said that the company was looking into the charges.
"We take allegations such as these seriously," Glynn said. "We are conducting our own investigation and we will take corrective actions as necessary."
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Arraignment is scheduled July 29 in Van Nuys Superior Court.
