Class-Action Lawsuit Filed Against Loblaws, Walmart, and Sobeys Over Alleged Underweight Meat Sales
A proposed class-action lawsuit in British Columbia accuses Loblaws, Walmart Canada, and Sobeys of “misrepresenting” the weight of meat products by including the weight of packaging in price calculations.
The lawsuit, filed in Vancouver Federal Court on January 9, was brought forward by lead plaintiff Carrie Corrall, a B.C. mother who says she spends “hundreds or thousands of dollars” annually on meat products.
The claim alleges the grocers employed “deceptive means” that breach federal and provincial regulations by charging customers for packaging weight in the price of raw and cooked meat products sold by weight.
According to the statement of claim, this practice has resulted in Canadians “regularly overpaying for meat products” at these grocery chains.
The lawsuit seeks punitive damages, emphasizing that the alleged deception occurred during a period of high inflation when grocers publicly pledged to keep prices low but were “discretely overcharging” consumers.
A judge must still certify the class action. None of the allegations have been proven in court, and representatives for Loblaws, Walmart Canada, and Sobeys have not yet commented on the claims.
The filing follows widespread public scrutiny of rising food prices, a topic frequently highlighted in news stories.
