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Québec Man Fined for Offences under the Maple Products Regulations

On January 26, 2006, Mr. Robert Charron of Val D'Or, Québec was convicted on six counts of contravening section 3.(1) of the Maple Products Regulations in Provincial Court in Blind River. This resulted in fines totalling $15,000.

Section 3.(1) of the Maple Products Regulations prohibits interprovincial marketing of a product in such a manner that it is likely to be mistaken for a maple product for which a grade or standard is established. The Maple Products Regulations were made under the Canada Agricultural Products Act. Every person who contravenes any provision of this Act or the Regulations is guilty of an offence.

In April 2004, Canadian Food Inspection Agency inspectors investigated a complaint about a man travelling door to door in Blind River, Ontario purportedly selling maple syrup. It was subsequently determined that Mr. Charron had sold ordinary table syrup in and around Blind River and Thunder Bay, Ontario between March and April, 2004. Sample analysis found that his syrup was composed primarily of corn sugars and contained very little, if any, maple syrup. Charges were laid against him as a result.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency enforces 12 Acts of Parliament and delivers all federal inspection services related to food, animal health and plant protection.

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For more information, please contact: :

Alex Kozopas
Investigation Specialist
Enforcement and Investigation
519-826-2927