A Quebec maple syrup producer is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit for selling counterfeit syrup, with major grocery store chains now being added as defendants. The lawsuit alleges that the grocery stores were negligent in ensuring the purity of the syrup they sold to customers. The legal action was initially directed at the producer, Steve Bourdeau, after it was revealed that he had been selling syrup mixed with cane sugar instead of pure maple syrup as labeled.
The lawsuit has been amended to include grocery store chains such as Metro, Sobeys, Loblaws, and Epicia Group as defendants. The lead plaintiff, Maude Fraser-Jodoin, a Quebec consumer, purchased several cans of the fake syrup. Bourdeau, captured in hidden camera footage boasting about his low-priced products, sold hundreds of thousands of cans in Quebec and Ontario stores.
The class action seeks full refunds and $100 in punitive damages for anyone in Canada who bought 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.
While some grocery stores offered refunds after the story broke, the lawsuit argues that this is insufficient. It asserts that the class action is necessary to ensure affected consumers receive fair compensation and punitive damages. The lawsuit claims that the grocery stores should have been cautious before selling the syrup at a significantly lower price compared to other products.
Reports from Quebec’s Agriculture Ministry show that Metro, Sobeys, and Epicia were aware of complaints about the syrup quality as early as 2016 and 2025, respectively. The grocery store chains have indicated their intention to contest the class action request, except for Loblaws, which has not responded formally. Bourdeau denied altering the syrup and attributed the issue to his suppliers.
Health Canada issued a recall notice for all Bourdeau’s products due to container integrity defects and spoilage in June. Quebec’s Agriculture Ministry is conducting an investigation into Bourdeau’s operations.
