120 S.W. 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66612-1597
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24,
2006 |
CONTACT: Jan Lunsford
(785)
296-3459 |
ATTORNEY GENERAL WORKS WITH KANSAS
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT IN SUIT ALLEGING CONSUMER
PROTECTION VIOLATIONS
Attorney General Phill Kline today filed suit against a
Michigan-based company soliciting Kansas restaurants to
purchase "2006 Approved Hand Washing Posters." The business,
using a Topeka Post Office box as the "Kansas Food Service
Compliance Center," was named in the suit filed in Shawnee
County District Court.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment asked the
Consumer Protection Division of the Office of Attorney General
to take immediate action against this deceptive solicitation.
After a thorough investigation that verified information
supplied by KDHE, Attorney General Kline filed suit against
the company for alleged violations of the Kansas Consumer
Protection Act.
The suit alleges that “Kansas Food Service Compliance
Center” is engaged in deceptive and unconscionable acts by
using a fictitious name and other means to suggest the company
is affiliated with or approved by the State of Kansas. The
company is also allegedly charging for its so-called
"approved" products which are available at little or no cost
from state and federal government agencies, including the
KDHE.
According to KDHE Secretary Roderick Bremby, the Kansas
Food Code requires hand washing signs to be posted at
handwashing sinks, but the requirement is not new and the KDHE
will provide the signs at no charge to restaurants.
In the lawsuit, Attorney General Kline has asked the Court
to issue an injunction to stop the deceptive solicitations and
to enter a judgment of $10,000 for civil penalties and
investigative fees for each of the eleven alleged violations
of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act.
Kansas businesses that purchased signage or posters from
the “Kansas Food Service Compliance Center” are encouraged to
contact Attorney General Kline's Consumer Protection Division
at 1-800-432-2310.
####
Contact:
Jan Lunsford
Public Information
Officer
Office of Attorney General Phill
Kline
785-296-3459
lunsforj@ksag.org
Sharon Watson
Communications Director
Kansas
Department of Health and Environment
785-296-5795
office
785-231-4337 cell phone
785-575-2443
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