A Quebec maple syrup producer facing a class-action lawsuit for selling fake syrup is now seeing major grocery store chains added as defendants. The lawsuit claims these stores should have taken more steps to ensure they were selling authentic Quebec maple syrup.
Legal documents filed by the law firm Slater Vecchio allege that grocery stores showed negligence by selling the syrup, which was later found to be cut with cane sugar, misleading consumers. The lawsuit, initially against producer Steve Bourdeau, now includes Metro, Sobeys, Loblaws, and Epicia Group as defendants.
The lead plaintiff, Maude Fraser-Jodoin, a Quebec consumer who bought the fake syrup, is seeking full refunds and $100 in punitive damages for all Canadians who purchased Bourdeau’s syrup since April 7, 2023. The lawsuit indicates that hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, of people could be eligible for compensation.
The legal action suggests that grocery stores should have been aware of the fake syrup due to its low price compared to genuine maple syrup products. Metro, Sobeys, and Epicia have contested the class action request, while Loblaws has yet to respond formally.
Bourdeau, the syrup producer, denied altering the syrup and attributed the issue to his suppliers. Health Canada issued a recall notice for Bourdeau’s products in June due to container defects and spoilage, and Quebec’s Agriculture Ministry is conducting an investigation into Bourdeau’s operations.