On Sept. 12, the FDA issued 1,300 warning letters and fines to more than 1,000 retailers as a result of a summerlong undercover operation at the store level. The list included several branded chains such as 7-Eleven Inc. and Casey’s General Stores, as well as independent operations and major oil companies. CSP reached out to both c-store chains for comment but did not receive replies by press time.
This latest round of warnings and fines comes after a previously announced “blitz” against tobacco retailers this past spring. In that move, FDA officials also went into retail establishments to uncover illegal sales of e-cigarettes to minors. While that operation officially began April 6, Gottlieb said the agency had issued warning letters to 40 retail locations in March and April.
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