Quincy Food Market Settles Allegations of Food Safety Law Violations

Press Release

Consent Decree resolves allegations that Quincy Convenience Store impermissibly sold and offered to sell illegally imported, misbranded and non-inspected meat and poultry products to retail customers

BOSTON - Quincy Convenience Store, a retail food market in Quincy, Mass. and its owners and operators, Wei Zheng and Cun Yong Liu, have entered into a consent decree with the government to resolve allegations that they repeatedly violated the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) by selling and offering to sell, illegally imported, misbranded, non-federally inspected meat, meat food products, poultry and poultry products.

Under the consent decree, Quincy Convenience Store, Ms. Zheng and Mr. Liu face significant penalties if violations of the FMIA and PPIA continue. The consent decree also permanently enjoins Quincy Convenience Store, Ms. Zheng and Mr. Liu from further violating the FMIA and the PPIA and provides investigators with broad access to inspection of the premises and business records in the future.

The proposed consent decree was filed with the court and is subject to judicial approval.

"Consumers deserve to trust that the food they purchase is produced and sold under safe and sanitary conditions," said United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. "This consent decree not only holds the defendants accountable for their repeated failures to comply with federal food safety laws but also protects the public by ensuring rigorous oversight moving forward. Our office will continue to work diligently to uphold the integrity of the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act, safeguarding the health and safety of our communities."

"The sale of illegally imported, misbranded, and non-inspected meat and poultry products undermines the integrity of our food safety system and puts public health at risk," said USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service Administrator Dr. Denise Eblen. "This consent decree reflects our commitment to holding businesses accountable and ensuring compliance with federal safety laws. We will continue to take all necessary steps to protect American consumers."

The government filed its complaint after investigators with the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued numerous warnings to Quincy Convenience Store, Ms. Zheng and Mr. Liu to stop purchasing, illegally importing, selling and offering for sale misbranded and non-federally inspected meat, meat food products, poultry and poultry products. In addition, the USDA has cited Quincy Convenience Store, Ms. Zheng and Mr. Liu for repeatedly failing to maintain the required business records of the purchase, transport, sale and offer to sell meat, meat food products, poultry and poultry products. During the latest USDA inspection, investigators observed Quincy Convenience Store offering for sale over 440 pounds of non-federally inspected and misbranded meat, meat food products, poultry and poultry products, including 34 pounds of meat and poultry illegally imported from China.

U.S. Attorney Levy and USDA FSIS Administrator Eblen made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Sharobem of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit handled the matter.

Updated December 11, 2024

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