Former Director Sues 7-Eleven Over Alleged Retaliation for Reporting Safety Concerns
A former director of product development at 7-Eleven, Varun Khanna, has filed a lawsuit against the company alleging retaliation in violation of whistleblower protections under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). According to court documents, Khanna reported multiple safety concerns during his eight-month tenure that delayed or blocked product launches due to vendor non-compliance with FDA and FSMA standards. The suit claims these actions were protected activity but contributed to his termination. Khanna's lawsuit highlights specific private label products—such as powdered hydration sticks, vitamin water, and juice—that he raised concerns about during weekly meetings with 7-Eleven executives including Vice President Nicole Boyers. His attorneys argue that the lack of documented performance issues or disciplinary actions supports claims of retaliatory firing. The case occurs amid a broader strategy by 7-Eleven to expand its private label offerings in North American convenience stores, having launched over 150 proprietary products in fiscal 2025.
Topics: 7-Eleven FSMA private label products retaliation whistleblower protection