Whole Foods pays $800K in overpricing case

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A well-known grocery chain is now paying $800,000 in penalties for over-charging shoppers.

Checking out at Whole Foods should be cheaper according to investigators especially because of the hidden fees shoppers don't know they're paying. "The problem with this kind of violation is it's a stealth violation and most people have no idea they are being charged," said Adam Radinsky with the Santa Monica City Attorney's Office.

Radinsky first noticed the pricing violations a year ago and since then found similar issues including right here in Fresno. State and local investigators say stores were selling expensive meat items such as kebobs by the piece, instead of per pound which is required by state law. But the biggest violation they uncovered is workers were not subtracting the weight of containers when ringing up customers for food. "Some of these deli items and prepared foods have a very high price tag on the per pound basis so if you say there is a one ounce container, I mean that could easily cost you a dollar if you are paying 16 dollars per pound," added Radinsky.

In a statement a spokesperson for Whole Foods said the company cooperated with investigators and added, "pricing on weighed and measured items was accurate ninety-eight percent of the time. While we realize that human error is always possible, we will continue to refine and implement additional processes to minimize such errors going forward."

Stores across California will now face random audits to prevent over-charging.

Meanwhile shoppers are happy the grocery retailers is now working to correct future bills. "It's definitely something to think about but for the most part Whole Foods is a good store so it's not going to affect my business there," said Spencer Lee.

"I'd probably still shop here but I am glad they're going to comply," said Linda Taylor.