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East LA Community Leaders Say El Super Markets Selling Perishable Products Past Expiration Dates

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Consumer advocates and leaders in East Los Angeles are calling for a probe into what they say are unsafe business practices that pose hazards to public health at El Super Markets.

According to a survey conducted by a coalition of community groups in East LA, the chain's Southern California stores showed dozens of dairy, meat, egg and milk products for sale that were expired or past their sell-by dates, according to Mike Shimpock, a spokesman for UFCW 770.

A letter with the results of the survey will be sent to El Super's parent company, Bodega Latina Corp., and to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

"Selling food that is past its sell or use date is potentially unsafe and unethical," said Maria Cabildo, president of East L.A. Community Corp. "We have seen evidence that this may be a system problem with this grocery operator."

Cabildo also called on El Super to comply with basic health standards.

The supermarket chain has stores in Arizona, Nevada and California, including 14 locations in Los Angeles County.

(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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