Missouri Butcher Who Sold Hearts as Ground Beef Gets Fine

By News Desk | October 18, 2012 Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster says John's Butcher Shoppe in the St. Louis area will pay $50,000 to the state and submit to unannounced inspections by the Department of Agriculture as punishment for mislabeling product by selling cow hearts as ground beef. "Consumers must be able to trust that food products they purchase are what the seller and manufacturer have advertised," Koster said. "My office will continue to protect consumers by pursuing any food manufacturer who misrepresents our local food supply." Koster filed suit in June 2011 against John's Butcher Shoppe, its president, Michael Kolish, and its secretary, Thomas Kolish. The settlement with the defendants covers the company's stores in Overland and Festus, as well as any other business operated by Michael and Thomas Kolish. The Attorney General credited the Missouri Department of Agriculture for its work in identifying unlabeled heart muscle and soy in the butcher shop's products. Koster said that John's Butcher Shoppe has agreed to label all products correctly and to submit samples at any time to the Missouri Department of Agriculture. © Food Safety News More Headlines from Lawsuits & Litigation » Tags: beef hearts, Chris Koster, Missouri