A Quebec maple syrup producer accused of selling fake syrup is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit that now involves several major grocery store chains as additional defendants. The lawsuit claims that these grocery stores should have taken more steps to ensure that the maple syrup they sold was authentic Quebec maple syrup.
According to legal documents filed by law firm Slater Vecchio, the grocery stores are being accused of negligence, recklessness, carelessness, or indifference for selling the fake maple syrup over several years. The class-action lawsuit, initially directed at syrup producer Steve Bourdeau, revealed that cans of syrup were adulterated with at least 50% cane sugar despite being labeled as pure maple syrup.
The lawsuit’s lead plaintiff, Maude Fraser-Jodoin, a Quebec consumer who bought four cans of the fake syrup, is seeking full refunds and $100 in punitive damages for anyone across Canada who purchased Bourdeau’s syrup since April 7, 2023. The lawsuit suggests that potentially hundreds of thousands or even millions of individuals may be eligible for compensation, pending court approval.
The legal action argues that the grocery stores, including Metro, Sobeys, Loblaws, and Epicia Group, failed to exercise caution and diligence before selling the syrup at a notably low price compared to other products. The lawsuit also mentions that inspection reports from Quebec’s Agriculture Ministry indicated that Metro had received complaints about the syrup’s quality as early as 2016, with Epicia being aware as early as 2025.
Despite many grocery stores offering refunds for the syrup following media coverage, the lawsuit insists that a class-action lawsuit is necessary to ensure justice and compensation for affected consumers. While Metro, Sobeys, and Epicia have expressed intentions to contest the class-action request, Loblaws has not yet responded formally.
In response to the allegations, Bourdeau denied altering the syrup and attributed the issue to his suppliers. Health Canada issued a recall notice for all of Bourdeau’s products in June, citing container integrity defects and spoilage. Quebec’s Agriculture Ministry is also conducting an investigation into Bourdeau’s operations.
The lawsuit remains pending court approval while the legal battle unfolds between the plaintiffs and the grocery store chains involved in the sale of the fake maple syrup.
