A Quebec maple syrup producer facing a proposed class-action lawsuit for selling fake syrup is now confronting several major grocery store chains as additional defendants. The lawsuit alleges that these chains should have taken more steps to verify that the syrup they sold was genuine Quebec maple syrup.
According to legal documents filed by law firm Slater Vecchio, the grocery stores displayed serious negligence by selling the fake maple syrup for several years, betraying the trust of their customers. Initially directed at syrup producer Steve Bourdeau, the lawsuit was expanded this month to include grocery store chains Metro, Sobeys, Loblaws, and Epicia Group, which operates Val-Mont grocery stores in Quebec.
The lead plaintiff in the case, Maude Fraser-Jodoin, a Quebec consumer, bought at least four cans of the counterfeit syrup. Bourdeau was captured in hidden camera footage boasting about the widespread distribution of his products in hundreds of Quebec and Ontario grocery stores, including major chains.
The class action seeks full refunds and $100 in punitive damages for anyone in Canada who purchased Bourdeau’s syrup since April 7, 2023, estimating that hundreds of thousands or even millions of people could be eligible for compensation. The lawsuit, which is pending court approval, argues that the grocery stores should have recognized the fake nature of the syrup due to its suspiciously low price.
Though many grocery stores offered refunds for the syrup following the expose, the lawsuit insists that this is insufficient. It contends that a class action is necessary to ensure consumers receive appropriate compensation, including interest and additional punitive damages. The lawsuit points to inspection reports from Quebec’s Agriculture Ministry, indicating that some stores were aware of quality complaints about Bourdeau’s syrup as far back as 2016.
While Metro, Sobeys, and Epicia have stated their intent to challenge the class action request, Loblaws is yet to formally respond. Bourdeau denied altering his syrup, shifting blame to his suppliers and pledging to investigate the issue. Health Canada issued a recall notice for all Bourdeau’s products in June due to container defects and spoilage, and Quebec’s Agriculture Ministry is conducting its own investigation into Bourdeau’s operations.