The Kroger Co. Rotten Score Breakdown

The U.S. Department of Justice announced a proposed nationwide settlement with The Kroger Company in April 2026 resolving alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act at grocery stores across the United States. The case concerns leaks of R-22 refrigerant from refrigeration equipment used in Kroger stores. R-22 is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon that damages the Earth's protective ozone layer when released into the atmosphere. Federal regulations require owners and operators of certain refrigeration equipment to identify and repair excessive refrigerant leaks. The federal government alleged that Kroger failed to promptly repair leaks of R-22 refrigerant from covered refrigeration equipment between 2014 and 2023. Under the proposed consent decree, Kroger agreed to undertake a major nationwide compliance program. The Justice Department estimated that Kroger would spend approximately $100 million over three years to reduce refrigerant leaks and improve compliance with federal requirements protecting the ozone layer. Kroger also agreed to pay a $2.5 million civil penalty. The required measures are intended to reduce releases of ozone-depleting refrigerants from refrigerators and other equipment operated by Kroger stores nationwide. The settlement resolves alleged Clean Air Act violations. Because the agreement was announced as a proposed consent decree, this evidence record should not characterize the allegations as adjudicated findings of liability. Primary source: U.S. Department of Justice — Kroger Agrees to Settlement Reducing Ozone-Harming Emissions from Grocery Stores Nationwide: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/kroger-agrees-settlement-reducing-ozone-harming-emissions-grocery-stores-nationwide