A Quebec maple syrup producer facing a proposed class-action lawsuit for selling fake syrup is now being sued alongside major grocery store chains. The lawsuit alleges that the grocery stores, including Metro, Sobeys, Loblaws, and Epicia Group, were negligent in ensuring that the syrup they sold was authentic Quebec maple syrup. The legal documents filed by law firm Slater Vecchio claim that the grocery stores disregarded their customers’ trust by selling the fake syrup for several years.
The initial lawsuit targeted syrup producer Steve Bourdeau after it was revealed that he sold cans of syrup cut with at least 50% cane sugar instead of being pure maple syrup as labeled. The lead plaintiff in the case, Maude Fraser-Jodoin, a Quebec consumer, bought four cans of the bogus syrup.
In hidden camera footage from Radio-Canada’s Enquête program, Bourdeau bragged about selling his products at low prices in numerous Quebec and Ontario grocery stores. The lawsuit seeks full refunds and $100 in punitive damages for anyone in Canada who purchased Bourdeau’s syrup since April 7, 2023. It suggests that hundreds of thousands or even millions of people could be eligible for compensation.
Although many grocery stores offered refunds for the fake syrup after the Enquête story aired, the lawsuit argues that this is insufficient. It insists that a class-action procedure is necessary to ensure justice for consumers and seeks additional punitive damages and interest for the affected individuals.
The lawsuit asserts that the grocery store chains should have known that Bourdeau’s syrup was fake due to its unusually low price. Metro, Sobeys, and Epicia were allegedly aware of complaints about the syrup’s quality as early as 2016. While Metro, Sobeys, and Epicia plan to contest the class action, Loblaws has not yet responded formally.
Bourdeau denied altering his syrup and blamed his suppliers for the issue when interviewed by Enquête in April. Health Canada issued a recall notice for all of Bourdeau’s products in June due to container integrity defects and spoilage. The Quebec Agriculture Ministry is conducting an investigation into Bourdeau’s operations.