A Quebec maple syrup producer facing a proposed class-action lawsuit for selling counterfeit syrup is now facing legal action involving major grocery store chains. The lawsuit alleges that the grocery stores were negligent and disregarded their customers’ trust by selling the fake syrup for several years. The initial lawsuit targeted producer Steve Bourdeau after it was revealed that he had sold syrup cut with cane sugar to grocery stores, mislabeling it as pure maple syrup.
The lawsuit has been amended to include grocery store chains Metro, Sobeys, Loblaws, and Epicia Group as additional defendants. The lead plaintiff, Maude Fraser-Jodoin, a Quebec consumer, purchased four cans of the counterfeit syrup. Bourdeau was shown in hidden camera footage boasting about selling his products at low prices in numerous grocery stores in Quebec and Ontario.
The class action seeks full refunds and $100 in punitive damages for anyone in Canada who purchased Bourdeau’s syrup since April 7, 2023. The lawsuit suggests that hundreds of thousands or even millions of people may be eligible for compensation, pending court approval.
While many grocery stores offered refunds after the initial expose, the lawsuit claims that full refunds are insufficient. It argues that the class action is necessary to ensure justice for consumers, seeking compensation with interest and additional punitive damages. The lawsuit alleges that the grocery store chains should have been cautious given the suspiciously low price of Bourdeau’s syrup.
The legal action cites inspection reports indicating that Metro, Sobeys, and Epicia were aware of complaints about the syrup’s quality as early as 2016. The grocery store chains intend to challenge the class action request, except for Loblaws, which has not responded formally. Bourdeau denied altering his syrup and shifted blame to his suppliers, promising to investigate the issue.
Health Canada issued a recall notice for all of Bourdeau’s products in June due to container integrity defects and spoilage. Quebec’s Agriculture Ministry is also conducting an investigation into Bourdeau’s operation.
