News Release

March 23, 2011

Contact:
Mary Geiger
Communications Director
Kansas Department of Agriculture
(785) 296-2653 phone
Mary.Geiger@kda.ks.gov

KDA Warns about Inspector Impersonation Fraud

TOPEKA - The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) is warning regulated business to not pay any licensing fees directly to individuals who come to their place of business claiming to be KDA inspectors.

"KDA does not collect any money in the field during food safety and lodging inspections," said KDA Food Safety Policy Director Erik Wisner. "All fees collected from these regulated businesses are submitted by mail or fax directly to the Topeka office."

KDA has received a report of an individual in Southeast Kansas who impersonated a KDA employee and accepted a check in person from a business to renew its license. Several other businesses in the area also reported that an individual will come in and ask for cash to perform a food safety inspection.

Any business that experiences an individual claiming to be a KDA inspector attempting to collect fees should not pay the individual and instead report the incident immediately to their local authorities as well as the KDA at 785.296.5600. Recent incidents of this type should also be reported to the authorities and the KDA.

The KDA promotes public safety by regulating the production and sale of food products in Kansas. Regulated entities include grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants, schools, senior meal sites, mobile food units, lodging facilities, food wholesalers and warehouses, food processors and food manufacturers.

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