Overview
- Since April 2025, the CFIA has issued $47,000 in penalties to five food businesses for false or misleading origin claims.
- Real Canadian Superstore in Ontario and Fortinos Etobicoke, both operated by Loblaw, were fined $10,000 each for October 2025 violations, and Loblaw apologized and said it is tightening controls.
- The agency confirmed an active investigation into labelling and advertising overseen by Sobeys’ national head office.
- Other fines named by the regulator include Oxford Frozen Foods ($10,000) for deceptive blueberry labelling, Fresh in The City ($7,000) for misleading banana bread claims, and Meatex Farms ($10,000) for imported ghee labelled as Canadian.
- Experts describe the actions as an early shift from education to enforcement, as industry debates strict labelling rules, relatively low maximum fines, and the risk of discouraging ‘Buy Canadian’ promotions after a surge in 2025 complaints and 75 non‑compliance findings.