ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA — Walmart Inc. has agreed to settle a civil lawsuit brought by seven California counties for $16 million over allegedly keeping baby formula and medication on shelves past their expiration dates, the Solano County District Attorney's Office said Wednesday.
The suit, brought by Solano, Alameda, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, Sonoma and Yolo counties, found that the retail giant routinely sold expired products, including cough syrup, sunscreen and cosmetics. An investigation found no evidence anyone was physically harmed by the expired goods.
Walmart was cooperative during the investigation, according to the District Attorney's Office.
"Parents should never have to worry that the infant formula or medications they purchase for their children are expired and potentially unsafe," said Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams.
The settlement "strengthens safeguards to prevent similar violations in the future," Abrams said.
As part of the settlement, Walmart is prohibited from selling baby formula and over the counter drugs past the use date in all California stores. The company was also ordered to implement a training program for employees to better identify expired goods and take them off shelves.
Walmart will also pay over $15.7 million in penalties and $250,000 in fees.
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