Marine Park Price Gouging Baby Formula

New York – New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced a donation of over 600 cases of baby formula, valued at over $90,000, to families in the Capital Region. The donation from Marine Park Distribution, Inc., (Marine Park) is part of a larger settlement securing $675,000 worth of formula for New Yorkers impacted by price gouging during the 2022 national shortage.

Marine Park was caught doubling prices on baby formula, charging up to $36 for cans that previously sold for $18. The donation, totaling five pallets, has been delivered to the Regional Food Bank in Latham, where it will be distributed to families in need.

‘Businesses cannot take advantage of an emergency to jack up prices for essential goods and rip off New Yorkers,’ said Attorney General James. ‘Marine Park’s price gouging put families at risk, and today we’re ensuring justice for those in need.’

In 2022, the closure of an Abbott Laboratories plant led to a significant formula shortage nationwide. New York’s price gouging laws were invoked by the AG’s office, leading to warnings against overcharging and investigations into retailers including Marine Park.

An investigation found that Marine Park and its affiliate Formula Depot, Inc., (Formula Depot) raised prices over 60 percent above legal limits, generating excessive revenue during the shortage. The companies are now barred from future price gouging and have paid a $75,000 penalty to the state.

Since then, Attorney General James has delivered formula donations worth over $800,000 to families in various New York regions, including Rochester and the Bronx.

RELATED: Formula Sharks Gouge NY Families: $100K in Relief Delivered