Whole Foods Fires Security Company That Banned Elderly Woman for Life

The 70-year-old woman said she accidentally walked out of the store without paying for her cheese, which prompted the security response.

VAUXHALL, N.J. — A security company that detained and banned an elderly woman from all Whole Foods locations in the tri-state area was fired, according to an NJ.com report.

The 70-year-old woman accidentally walked out of the store with some cheese remaining in her cart, prompting the response from the security company. She had checked out but forgot about the cheese she had under her bag in her cart.

“As promised, we’ve reviewed out security procedures for the store and the firm we previously contracted with has been removed and replaced,” said spokesman Michael Sinatra.

Sinatra did not state what security firm had been used.

The actions taken against the elderly woman — Margaret Dooley — prompted a strong reaction by locals before the store released an apology, according to the report.

The company’s attempts to reach out to Dooley have not been returned, Sinatra said.

“We welcome her call and hope to make this situation right,” he said.

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