HARTFORD, Conn. -- Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said he is suing CVS Pharmacy for allegedly selling food and over-the-counter medications past their expiration dates.

Blumenthal said expired products were found in more than 20 Connecticut stores.

The lawsuit was filed in connection with the Department of Consumer Protection.

Blumenthal said expired products found in the stores include cough and allergy medicines, baby formula, antacids, energy drinks and dairy products.

He said investigators found the expired products in the summers of 2008 and 2009. He said the investigation showed that the problem worsened last year, and that nearly half of CVS stores surveyed this year were found selling expired products.

"Shockingly, our 2009 investigation showed nearly one of every two CVS stores surveyed selling out-of-date food and over-the-counter medicine," he said.