PHILADELPHIA, PA – The United States has filed a lawsuit to stop Philadelphia retail store J & B Poultry Market, Inc., and its president Johnny Wong, from selling chickens that are improperly labeled, and stored under insanitary conditions whereby they may have been rendered injurious to health. Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen today announced the filing of the civil Complaint in federal district court.
The Poultry Products Inspection Act prohibits companies and individuals from selling “misbranded” or “adulterated” poultry. The Complaint alleges that United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) inspections of the retail store establish that chickens stored by the defendants were misbranded because they lacked safe handling instructions and other information required by law, and were adulterated because they were held under unacceptable conditions including in the back of a pick-up truck outside, and at ambient temperatures in the store as high as 80 degrees.
The United States seeks a permanent injunction to prevent defendants from further selling chickens that are improperly labeled and held under insanitary conditions.
This case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey L. B. Smith. Assistance is being provided by Lauren Axley, USDA Attorney Advisor.