A Quebec maple syrup producer facing a proposed class-action lawsuit for selling fake syrup is now seeing major grocery store chains added as defendants. The lawsuit alleges that the grocery chains should have taken better measures to ensure they were selling genuine Quebec maple syrup.
The legal documents filed by law firm Slater Vecchio claim that the grocery stores showed negligence by selling the fake maple syrup for years, betraying the trust of their customers. The lawsuit was initially directed at syrup producer Steve Bourdeau after it was revealed that he sold syrup cut with cane sugar instead of being 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 in the case, Maude Fraser-Jodoin, a Quebec consumer, bought at least four cans of the fake syrup.
Steve Bourdeau, caught on hidden camera footage by Radio-Canada’s Enquête, bragged about selling his products at a low price in numerous Quebec and Ontario grocery stores. He claimed to have sold hundreds of thousands of cans last year, with grocery stores retailing them for as low as $4.99.
The proposed class action seeks full refunds and $100 in punitive damages for anyone in Canada who purchased Bourdeau’s syrup since April 7, 2023, potentially impacting hundreds of thousands or even millions of consumers.
The lawsuit argues that the grocery stores should have been aware of the fake syrup due to its low price and demands additional compensation for consumers. Reports from Quebec’s Agriculture Ministry suggest that Metro, Sobeys, and Epicia were aware of complaints about the syrup quality dating back to 2016 and 2025.
While Metro, Sobeys, and Epicia plan to challenge the class action request, Loblaws has yet to respond formally. Bourdeau denied tampering with his syrup and blamed his suppliers for the issue. Health Canada issued a recall notice for all of Bourdeau’s products in June due to container defects and spoilage, with Quebec’s Agriculture Ministry investigating his operation.