Bill Schuette, Michigan Attorney General

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Jamie Clover Adams announced the state is investigating Royal Packaging and nine of its distributors who may be continuing to sell two brands of defective anti-freeze/coolant contrary to MDARD's orders issued last September. 

"Consumer Protection is in the DNA of the Department of Attorney General.  If vehicle owners are being sold products that may cause them to suffer costly repairs, we will compel them to produce documentation showing exactly where these brands have been distributed," said Schuette.  "I would like to thank MDARD and Director Clover Adams for their initial investigation on behalf of the People of the State of Michigan."

Jamie Clover Adams, Director MDARD

"This company is selling a sub-standard product, and our mission is to ensure Michigan's consumers and businesses are not only getting what they pay for, but also to make sure the product claims hold true to the label," said Clover Adams. "While spring temperatures are making their way to Michigan, it's still critical consumers and businesses stop using or selling these products immediately to avoid vehicular damage."

In a petition filed with the Wayne County Circuit Court, Schuette explained that the MDARD issued stop-sale and stop-use orders late last summer for Royal Packaging's North Atlantic and Shur-XXX brands.  Eleven samples of these two anti-freezes were laboratory tested and found to have freezing points well above the temperatures stated on the bottle labels.  Several bottles were also found to contain lower quantities than indicated on the label.  Royal Packaging Company, Inc. of Detroit, the manufacturer of both brands, ceased operations following the MDARD probe.

MDARD's initial investigation identified nine additional businesses that were warehousing the North Atlantic and Shur-XXX brands and distributing them to stores and gas stations for sale to Michigan consumers.  These companies were asked to provide information about this distribution chain, but none of them complied with MDARD's voluntary request.

During this past winter, MDARD inspectors performed spot checks and found the North Atlantic and Shur-XXX products are still being sold at dozens of locations in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Genesee, Jackson, Livingston, Houghton and other counties.  MDARD says the potential for a large amount of these products to still be in the marketplace remains.

According to the petition, the companies who will be receiving subpoenas as part of this investigation are:

- Royal Packaging Company of Detroit

- Capital Sales, Co. of Hazel Park

- City Petroleum of Dearborn

- Tradewell Grocery Distribution in Oak Park

- D&B Grocers in Livonia

- Trepco Inc. in Madison Heights

- Motor Oil Distributors, Inc. in Dearborn

- H.T. Hackney Company in Wyoming

- Chase Cash & Carry in Dearborn

- Universal Wholesale in Southfield, Michigan.

The Petition for Subpoena was filed on March 17th pursuant to the Consumer Protection Act.  Wayne County Circuit Court has ordered the 10 companies to provide documents in Schuette's ongoing investigation.   

If consumers have additional evidence suggesting that a retailer engaged in behavior that violates the Consumer Protection Act, they are encouraged to contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-765-8388 or file an online complaint at www.michigan.gov/ag.