Bridgeport mini-mart faces $5,705 fine in sale of ‘loose’ cigarettes

A North Avenue gas station and mini-mart in Bridgeport is facing a $5,705 fine from the federal Food and Drug Administration after selling loose cigarettes in violation of federal law two months after paying a settlement on four previous violations, an FDA complaint said. less A North Avenue gas station and mini-mart in Bridgeport is facing a $5,705 fine from the federal Food and Drug Administration after selling loose cigarettes in violation of federal law two months after paying a ... more Photo: Google Street View Image Photo: Google Street View Image Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Bridgeport mini-mart faces $5,705 fine in sale of ‘loose’ cigarettes 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

BRIDGEPORT - A North Avenue gas station and mini-mart is facing a $5,705 fine from the federal Food and Drug Administration after selling loose cigarettes in violation of federal law two months after paying a settlement on four previous violations, an FDA complaint said.

In May, Four Associates doing business as Shell/Food Mart at 915 North Ave. had agreed to waive any right to contest further tobacco compliance enforcement actions after the establishment was cited for selling cigarettes to minors, failing to verify their age and having open packs of packs cigarettes which the intention of selling cigarettes to customers individually during three inspections in March 2019 and July 2018, according to a complaint.

The owners admitted the allegations and agreed to pay a fine to close out the complaints, documents said.

About two months later, an FDA inspector witnessed a clerk sell individual cigarettes to a customer during an inspection and found open packs of Newport and Marlboro cigarettes intended for sale individually, a complaint said.

As a result of the latest violation, the FDA has issued a $5,075 fine against Four Associates, documents said.

The entity will have 30 days to request a hearing on the fine.