A Quebec maple syrup producer facing a proposed class-action lawsuit over the sale of counterfeit syrup is now seeing major grocery store chains added as defendants. The lawsuit alleges that the grocery stores should have taken more precautions to ensure that the syrup they sold was genuinely pure maple syrup sourced from Quebec. Slater Vecchio law firm claimed in legal documents that the grocery stores showed negligence and indifference by selling the fake maple syrup over several years.
Initially directed at syrup producer Steve Bourdeau in April, the lawsuit was expanded this month to include grocery store chains such as Metro, Sobeys, Loblaws, and Epicia Group. Maude Fraser-Jodoin, a Quebec consumer who bought four cans of the counterfeit syrup, is the lead plaintiff in the case.
Bourdeau was captured on hidden camera footage boasting about the extensive distribution of his products in Quebec and Ontario at low prices through various grocery stores, including major chains. The proposed class action is seeking full refunds and $100 in punitive damages for anyone in Canada who purchased Bourdeau’s syrup since April 7, 2023. The lawsuit suggests that potentially hundreds of thousands or even millions of people could be eligible for compensation, pending court approval.
Despite some grocery stores offering refunds following the broadcast of Enquête’s story, the lawsuit argues that refunds alone are insufficient. It insists that a class action is necessary to ensure justice for consumers, requesting compensation with interest and additional punitive damages. The lawsuit claims that grocery store chains should have been cautious about the authenticity of Bourdeau’s syrup due to its unusually low price compared to other maple syrup products.
According to the lawsuit, inspection reports from Quebec’s Agriculture Ministry indicated that Metro had received complaints about the quality of Bourdeau’s syrup as far back as 2016, and Epicia as early as 2025. While Metro, Sobeys, and Epicia have expressed their intent to challenge the class action request, Loblaws is yet to formally respond.
Bourdeau denied altering his syrup when interviewed by Enquête in April, attributing the issue to his suppliers. Health Canada issued a recall notice for all Bourdeau’s products in June due to container integrity defects and spoilage, with Quebec’s Agriculture Ministry initiating an investigation into his operations.
