Today, San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas announced the Consumer Protection Unit has reached a settlement in a civil matter concerning Dollar Tree Stores Inc., Dollar Tree Distribution, Inc., and Family Dollar, LLC in conjunction with San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson and Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig.

“Thank you to Deputy District Attorney Celeste Kaisch and the Consumer Protection Unit for holding corporations accountable,” said District Attorney Ron Freitas. “It is imperative consumers are able to trust and purchase goods from stores that are within their use-by dates.”

Dollar Tree Stores Inc., Dollar Tree Distribution, Inc., and Family Dollar, LLC establishments and similar businesses that offer for sale over-the-counter drug products are required to ensure that those products have not exceeded the manufacturer's printed expiration date. The civil complaint, filed in San Joaquin County Superior Court, alleges Dollar Tree Stores Inc., Dollar Tree Distribution, Inc., and Family Dollar, LLC both offered and sold expired over-the-counter drug products.

In full cooperation of the investigation, Dollar Tree Stores Inc., Dollar Tree Distribution, Inc., and Family Dollar, LLC internally evaluated all products on their shelves. Dollar Tree has agreed to dedicate a designated number of hours each month specifically to verify that no products on their shelves have reached their expiration date.  There was no evidence that the sale of outdated over-the-counter drug products resulted in harm to consumers.

Without admitting or denying liability, Dollar Tree Stores Inc., Dollar Tree Distribution, Inc., and Family Dollar, LLC agreed to be bound by an injunction prohibiting violations of California's unlawful business practice laws and Health and Safety Code prohibitions on the sale of expired over-the-counter drugs. As part of the judgment, Dollar Tree Stores Inc., Dollar Tree Distribution, Inc., and Family Dollar, LLC will pay $2,894,050 in civil penalties, restitution, and investigative costs.