A proposed class-action lawsuit has been filed in Quebec Superior Court against U.S. fruit company Driscoll’s over allegations that some of its berries contained chemical residues above limits allowed in Canada.
The lawsuit alleges the company failed to tell customers about pesticide or other chemical residues in its strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries.
The proposed class would include anyone in Quebec who bought Driscoll’s berries since Jan. 1, 2022. The lawsuit says potentially millions of people could be included if a judge approves the case.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
Former employee raises concerns
The lawsuit follows a case filed in June by former Driscoll’s employee David Harada.
Harada alleges that about half of the company’s berry exports to Canada between 2022 and 2024 contained chemicals, including bifenthrin, iprodione and captan, above Canadian limits.
He estimated the value of potentially affected berry exports at nearly US$100 million.
The new lawsuit also alleges Driscoll’s stopped using a system to monitor compliance with Canadian rules in 2022.
It claims the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), testing companies and Canadian buyers warned Driscoll’s about excessive chemical levels. CFIA inspections between 2022 and 2024 allegedly found some Driscoll’s berries with chemical levels above Canadian limits.
The lawsuit also says the CFIA received reports of possible illnesses and unusual chemical tastes or smells linked to some berries.
Driscoll’s disputes allegations
Driscoll’s said it disputes the allegations and will address them through the legal process.
The company said its berries are safe to eat and that it has food safety, testing and compliance programs in place.
Driscoll’s also said it works with independent family farms and follows Canadian food laws and regulations.
“We take food safety and compliance seriously,” the company said, adding that its goal is to comply with all applicable standards.
