Maple syrup class action lawsuit filed

A class-action lawsuit over fake maple syrup has named Loblaws, Sobeys, Metro and Epicia Group.

The lawsuit, which has yet to be registered by the courts, said “grocery stores also demonstrated serious negligence, recklessness, carelessness, or indifference, disregarding the trust of their customers, by selling the maple syrup for several years.”

The lawsuit was initially launched against Quebec syrup producer Steve Bourdeau in April after Radio-Canada’s Enquête program revealed Bourdeau had sold cans of syrup to grocery stores that were cut with at least 50 per cent cane sugar, despite being labelled as pure maple syrup.

The lead plaintiff in the case is Maude Fraser-Jodoin, a Quebec consumer who purchased at least four cans of the bogus syrup.

Bourdeau said he sold hundreds of thousands of cans last year alone, and that grocery stores were selling them for as low as $4.99.

The proposed class action is requesting full refunds and $100 in punitive damages for anyone in Canada who purchased a can of Bourdeau’s syrup since April 7, 2023.

The lawsuit filed by Slater Vecchio estimates that hundreds of thousands or maybe even millions of people may be eligible for compensation.

Many grocery stores offered full refunds for cans of Bourdeau’s syrup in the weeks after Enquête’s story was broadcast, but the lawsuit seeks more.

“The class action procedure remains the only appropriate procedure to ensure that the members of the proposed group have access to justice,” the lawsuit said, arguing that consumers should be compensated with interest, and are entitled to additional punitive damages.