Company Directory - Stew Leonard's
Company Details - Stew Leonard's

Stew Leonard's
WebsiteNorwalk, USA
Stew Leonard's is a family-owned grocery chain known for its fresh produce, locally sourced products, and unique shopping experience. Founded on the principle of customer service, the chain features a variety of artisanal and gourmet foods, meats, seafood, and a bakery. With its stores often featuring live entertainment, Stew Leonard's seeks to make grocery shopping enjoyable and memorable.
CCI Score
CCI Score: Stew Leonard's
-37.99
Latest Event
FDA Warns Stew Leonard’s for Misbranding Following Fatal Allergen Incident
The FDA issued a warning letter to Stew Leonard’s Holdings LLC after discovering significant misbranding violations on its cookie products, which failed to declare allergens and contributed to a fatal anaphylactic reaction, subsequently leading to a wrongful death lawsuit.
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TOADIE
Stew Leonard's is currently rated as a Toadie.
Latest Events
- NOV182024
The FDA issued a warning letter to Stew Leonard’s Holdings LLC after discovering significant misbranding violations on its cookie products, which failed to declare allergens and contributed to a fatal anaphylactic reaction, subsequently leading to a wrongful death lawsuit.
-70
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
June 18
Stew Leonard’s Holdings LLC was cited by the FDA for major misbranding violations related to undeclared allergens on its cookie products. This failure in ethical business practices endangered consumers, contributing to a fatal allergic reaction and a wrongful death lawsuit, reflecting a significant disregard for regulatory standards and consumer safety.
FDA warns Stew Leonard’s Holdings over misbranded cookie products following anaphylactic death
- JUN012024
Following a fatal allergic reaction linked to mislabeled cookies containing peanuts, Stew Leonard's reached a settlement with the CT Department of Consumer Protection. The agreement mandates enhanced labeling practices, appointment of an internal compliance manager, annual training, third-party monitoring, and financial penalties including a donation to food allergy research organizations.
-40
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
June 18
The incident highlights a serious lapse in business practices and ethical responsibility. The failure to ensure accurate labeling of ingredients led to a tragic outcome, indicating negligence in consumer safety protocols.
Agreement Reached Between Stew Leonard's, CT Consumer Protection Over 'Mislabeled Cookies'
-30
Supply Chain Ethics
June 18
The case underscores deficiencies in supply chain oversight, as Stew Leonard's did not receive proper notification of an ingredient change from its supplier, contributing to the product mislabeling and subsequent public health risk.
Agreement Reached Between Stew Leonard's, CT Consumer Protection Over 'Mislabeled Cookies'
- JAN242024
Stew Leonard's issued a recall for a batch of cookies after a labeling error resulted in undeclared peanuts, which led to the fatal allergic reaction of a young dancer. The incident was linked to a supplier’s recipe change that was not properly communicated to the company’s safety team and initiated corrective actions in partnership with state authorities.
-30
Business Practices and Ethical Responsibility
June 18
The incident reflects a significant lapse in business practices and ethical responsibility. A failure in internal communication regarding a recipe change led to a labeling error, exposing consumers to a deadly allergen. While the company later initiated a recall and cooperated with state regulators, the error underscores a breach in consumer safety protocols, warranting a negative score.
- SEP152023
Local 371 of the UFCW has filed a complaint with the NLRB alleging that Stew Leonard's has been engaging in union-busting tactics at its Norwalk, Conn. store by instructing supervisors to interrogate employees about their union views and threatening job losses or reduced hours if employees sign union cards.
-80
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
June 18
The actions reported—interrogating employees about union sentiment and threatening punitive measures for union activity—are indicative of anti-worker practices and a clear effort to suppress independent labor organization, which aligns with authoritarian corporate behavior harmful to employee rights.
- MAY012023
Local UFCW union Local 371 alleges that Stew Leonard's intervened in unionization efforts at its Norwalk, Conn. store by instructing supervisors to interrogate employees about their union sentiments and threatening punitive actions such as dismissal or reduced hours. This move has been characterized as an attempt to suppress workers' rights to organize.
-80
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
June 18
The complaint alleges that Stew Leonard's engaged in anti-union practices by having supervisors interrogate employees and threaten them with firing or reduced hours if they supported a union, which undermines fair labor practices and workers' rights. This authoritarian approach to labor relations reflects negatively on the company from an anti-fascist perspective.
- JUN142022
A federal lawsuit filed on June 14, 2022, accuses Stew Leonard's CEO of creating a hostile work environment through repeated racist, sexist, and anti-Semitic remarks, as well as other discriminatory practices that target employees and customers.
-50
Public and Political Behavior
June 18
The CEO's alleged public use of discriminatory language and jokes contributes to a hostile public environment and undermines principles of inclusion and social equity, reflecting negatively on the company's public and political behavior.
Stew Leonard's boss accused of racist, sexist, anti-Semitic remarks
-80
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
June 18
The lawsuit details multiple allegations of discriminatory practices, including racial slurs, sexist remarks, and anti-Semitic comments. These practices indicate systemic failures in ensuring a safe and equitable work environment, directly undermining labor rights and human dignity.
Stew Leonard's boss accused of racist, sexist, anti-Semitic remarks
- JUN112022
A former loss prevention manager filed a lawsuit alleging that Stew Leonard's maintained a toxic workplace characterized by discriminatory practices, unsafe COVID-19 protocols, racially insensitive remarks, and other hostile conditions. The complaint, which cites incidents dating back decades including offensive behavior at a company party and improper handling of sensitive cultural artifacts, highlights failures in protecting employee rights and safety.
-70
Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices
June 18
The lawsuit details numerous allegations of workplace toxicity including failure to address discriminatory practices and unsafe working conditions, such as ignoring COVID-19 safety measures and making racially charged comments. These issues directly undermine labor rights and human dignity and are reflective of a culture that marginalizes vulnerable groups.
Ex-employee calls Stew Leonard’s a toxic and unsafe workplace
- MAR112016
On March 11, 2016, records show that the CEO of Stew Leonard's donated $2,700 to Democratic candidate Richard Blumenthal, as part of federal political contributions tracked by OpenSecrets.
+40
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
June 18
The donation by Stew Leonard's CEO to a Democratic candidate demonstrates support for progressive political forces and aligns with anti-authoritarian and pro-worker values. Such contributions help bolster political figures known for opposing authoritarian policies.
- APR022004
On April 2, 2004, records from OpenSecrets indicate that the CEO of Stew Leonard's donated $2,000 to George W. Bush in a federal campaign contribution. This donation reflects corporate political support that, from an anti‐fascist perspective, raises concerns about aligning with candidates who have promoted authoritarian policies.
-30
Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts
June 18
The donation made by Stew Leonard's CEO to George W. Bush is a case of corporate political contribution to a candidate from the Republican party, which in an anti-fascist framework is viewed as providing support to political figures whose policies have been associated with authoritarian tendencies. This contribution, though modest in amount, is indicative of political behavior that can undermine progressive, inclusive policies.
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Industries
- 445110
- Supermarkets and Other Grocery Retailers (except Convenience Retailers)
- 722511
- Full-Service Restaurants
- 445200
- Specialty Food Stores