Bogus maple syrup found in stores
A soi-disant maple syrup producer in St‑Chrysostome, Steve Bourdeau, has been selling adulterated maple syrup to stores all over Quebec. Labelled as pure, it’s proven to be cut with at least 50% cane sugar. No punishment is mentioned here, although I can think of a few possibilities. If you’re going to sell sirop de poteau…
Ephraim 10:26 on 2026-04-02 Permalink
I have just one question… why aren’t they forcing a recall? You sell counterfeit, deal with the repercussions.
Kevin 10:32 on 2026-04-02 Permalink
Would criticism of his actions be considered Quebec-bashing?
DeWolf 10:50 on 2026-04-02 Permalink
Sure enough, the can of maple syrup I got on sale for $5 from IGA awhile back is from this producer. What should I do with it?
Kate 11:07 on 2026-04-02 Permalink
Make something sticky?
Blork 11:16 on 2026-04-02 Permalink
@DeWolf: put it in a fancy glass container and sell it to a U.S. tourist for $47.
Nicholas 11:26 on 2026-04-02 Permalink
The authorities haven’t done anything, just the journalist. They should shut him down, confiscate all the adulterated product and fine him into bankruptcy. (Grocers should also sue him or refuse to pay.)
Tim 11:27 on 2026-04-02 Permalink
If you still have the can, take it back to the IGA @DeWolf.
Ian 12:00 on 2026-04-02 Permalink
Drive to Ste Chrysostome and pitch it through the sucrerie’s window
Joey 12:52 on 2026-04-02 Permalink
@DeWolf, how does it taste? Do you notice a difference?
DeWolf 10:32 on 2026-04-03 Permalink
@Joey, it will be a long time before I open it (if I ever do). I usually have a big reserve, habit from when I lived overseas and maple syrup was insanely expensive. There’s always one basic maple syrup in the fridge for cooking and a special syrup for dessert, drinks, etc. — that one I get directly from Chemin des Sept, a cidery that has a small sugar bush they use to tiny batches of wood-fired syrup each spring. It’s really good.
@Tim, good idea. Wonder what they’ll say. Now that I think about it, I probably got it at PA.
Kate 14:05 on 2026-04-03 Permalink
Isn’t Quebec maple syrup supposed to be labelled with the name of the producer?
I have 2 cans here, one of which is the classic design with a typical sucrerie name, and the other… it’s an anonymous can, which I got at Jean‑Coutu late last year because they were on sale for $5 at the cash, which now makes me wonder if it’s from the dubious guy’s batch. Says Pure Maple Syrup, but it would.
CE 19:18 on 2026-04-03 Permalink
Unless it’s a specific custom can (which is rare) the cans are bought in bulk and a sticker is put on the side to indicate the producer. Someone at a sugar shack told me they had started using the non-classic design because they were cheaper than the classic design (which has been in use since the 1950s).