Stores that sell expired perishable food would face stiff fines under a bill passed by the Rockland County Legislature, LoHUd.com reports.

The bill would make it a violation to sell milk, eggs, meat, seafood and other perishables, including fruit and vegetables sold in packages or containers, after the expiration date marked on the item.

It also would give the county Office of Consumer Protection the legal ability to enter a store and check the status of perishables, said Terry Grosselfinger, the agency’s director.

The inspector would also have the ability to order the store to remove the food from the shelves, and to issue a notice that carries a $250 fine per item on the first violation. The fines would increase to $1,000 per item on the third and any additional violations.

Grosselfinger said given the track record of retailers in Rockland, he did not expect problems with getting stores to comply once a problem was pointed out to them. He said a major focus to ensure retailers only offered fresh items was educating them about the law and its purpose.

The Food and Drug Administration told The Journal News in January that the agency does not require expiration dates on most products due to variables involved in transporting and storing food.

The bill awaits the approval of County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef. A spokeswoman for his office, C.J. Miller, said Friday that it was likely Vanderhoef would approve the measure.

(LoHud.com)