Wegmans controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2024
Trade-secrets and contract lawsuit over sushi operations
Restaurant owner Yuji Haraguchi filed suit alleging that Wegmans misused trade secrets, practices, and financial information after Wegmans employees were trained at his East Village restaurant. The complaint also alleged breaches involving nondisclosure and non-compete commitments after Wegmans opened the Sakanaya sushi section at its Astor Place store.
2021
Wegmans warns customers of potential data breach
Issue disclosure
Wegmans warned customers that some personal information may have been compromised after databases containing information such as names, addresses and phone numbers were inadvertently left open to possible outside access. The company said it identified what went wrong and took steps to prevent a recurrence.
Company response
Remediation — Wegmans
The company says it has identified what went wrong, and has taken steps to prevent this from happening again.
Source excerpt
Wegmans revealed yesterday that back in April the databases they use to store your personal info like your name, address, and phone number were “inadvertently left open to potential outside access.”
Luckily, your credit card numbers and Social Security number were safe, the article states.
Wegmans has issued a warning to customers saying some of their personal information may have been compromised.
2021
Wegmans fined over Auburn store face-covering violation
Fine or penalty
Officials said Wegmans in Auburn was fined $1,000 for a violation of New York State COVID-19 operating mandates. The report says the fine followed a hearing in December and an inspector's observation of a violation at the store.
Company response
Denial — Wegmans
Last time around, Wegmans paid the fine and refused to sign a consent order, admitting error. Instead, the company argued that they could not control their customers.
Source excerpt
The Auburn Citizen reports that the fine was the result of a hearing that took place in December. An inspector observed a violation at the Wegmans store in Auburn.
Last time around, Wegmans paid the fine and refused to sign a consent order, admitting error. Instead, the company argued that they could not control their customers.
Officials say Wegmans in Auburn was fined $1,000 for a violation of COVID-19 operating mandates from New York State.
2020
Wegmans faces backlash over mask enforcement
Public backlash
In November 2020, Wegmans faced criticism from customers on Twitter after an updated policy stated that its stores would try to get customers to wear masks but could not promise 99% compliance. The reported backlash centered on the policy's stated limits regarding mask enforcement. The event was covered in an article describing the customer criticism over the updated approach.
Source excerpt
Supermarket chain Wegmans does not plan to fully comply with the mask mandate in New York, prompting a backlash from Twitter users.
The latest update revealed that the grocery stores would try to make customers wear masks while shopping, but they could not promise a “99% compliance with mask mandates” for all customers.
2019
Wegmans sued over vanilla ice cream labeling
Lawsuit filed
Two men sued Wegmans, alleging that its vanilla ice cream gets its flavor from natural flavors rather than vanilla and that its labeling violates consumer-protection laws. Wegmans said it believes the labeling complies with regulations and industry standards and is not misleading.
Company response
Denial — Wegmans
We believe that the labeling of our ice cream fully complies with all regulations and industry standards, and is not misleading in any way.
Source excerpt
Two people, who apparently have a lot of free time on their hands, have sued Wegmans over something known as food fraud.
The Buffalo News reports that the class action suit claims Wegmans vanilla ice cream gets its flavor from natural flavors instead of vanilla, and should read "vanilla flavored ice cream".
The news is a bit out of left field, as the Rochester, NY based chain earned the title of America's best corporate reputation, according to a poll conducted by Axios and Harris in March 2019.