Conn. farm accused of selling Maine eggs

LEBANON, Conn. -- State officials have charged a Lebanon farm with selling eggs from Maine in cartons labeled as "Connecticut Grown."

The departments of agriculture and consumer protection are accusing the Mitlitsky Egg Farm of misleading the public about the source of the eggs sold in stores.

The Department of Consumer Protection said a customer told officials in November 2003 that the Mitlitsky eggs were mislabeled, and the department warned egg companies in April that eggs coming from other states shouldn't bear the state's logo.

But in August, the department received another complaint that Mitlitsky eggs being sold in a Norwich supermarket were mislabeled. While the cartons had the state's logo, the USDA routing and packaging codes showed the eggs came from Maine.

Misuse of the "Connecticut Grown" logo carries a fine of $25 per carton. Agriculture officials also requested that the state attorney general file a lawsuit against the egg farm under laws regulating unfair trade practices. Violations of those laws carry a $5,000 penalty for each violation.