Kraft fined for short-weight Oscar Mayer packages

MADISON (AP) -- Kraft Foods Group Inc. has paid a fine of nearly $37,000 to settle allegations of short-weight Oscar Mayer meats found in Wisconsin stores.

State inspectors found 24 packages of Oscar Mayer meats that were below their stated weight. The packages were found in Wisconsin stores between last August and this February.

An official of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection calls the shortages "very significant.'' None were packaged at the Madison factory of Oscar Mayer, which is based in Madison.

A Kraft spokeswoman says some oven heat changes and other manufacturing changes "resulted in unplanned and unwanted variances.'' She says corrections have been made. As part of the civil forfeiture agreement, Northfield, Ill.-based Kraft did not admit to violating any Wisconsin laws.