
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 4, 1995                   TAG: 9505040101
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SALISBURY, N.C.                                LENGTH: Short

UNION COALITION BLASTS FOOD LION

A coalition of unions and consumer groups issued another scathing attack against Food Lion on Wednesday, charging the supermarket chain again with selling outdated dairy products, meat and other perishable items.

Food Lion dismissed the charges, which came a day before the company's annual shareholders' meeting, as unsubstantiated and motivated by failed attempts to unionize Food Lion workers.

Bob Harbrant of the Washington D.C.-based Consumers United with Employees said members of the organization bought the outdated perishable products at 113 of 116 Food Lion stores where they shopped during December and January.

In all, he said, the group found 2,885 outdated perishable products in stores in all 14 states where the chain operates. Nearly half the items were outdated meat products, he said.

The 70-page report was the fifth issued by the organization regarding the sale of outdated products at Food Lion over the last 16 months.

The state with the most outdated items was Virginia, the group said. The group found 571 outdated items, an average of 35 per store. None of the stores surveyed was in Western Virginia.

Food Lion was the subject of an ABC network report in November 1992 alleging various unsanitary practices, including selling out-of-date meat. The company fiercely denied the charges, made in a ``PrimeTime Live'' broadcast.

In a written statement, Food Lion said Consumers United with Employees was a mouthpiece for unions that have been unsuccessful in efforts to organize Food Lion workers.

by CNB