LIF Foods Inc. Fined $50,000 and Placed on Probation for Two Years for Offences Under the Food and Drugs Act

June 15, 2010, Guelph, Ontarion - On April 27, 2010, a conviction was registered against LIF Foods Inc., in the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto for offences under the Food and Drugs Act. The Honourable Justice Ray ordered the company to pay $50,000 and placed the company on probation for two years.

The company was fined $15,000 for unlawfully importing a quantity of their brand, Porta Villa, labelled as extra virgin olive oil. It was determined to be blended oil, containing approximately 50 per cent sunflower oil, which is contrary to section 6(1)(a) of the Food and Drugs Act.

The company was also fined $35,000 for unlawfully selling a quantity of their brand, Porta Villa, labelled as extra virgin olive oil, that was in fact blended oil, containing approximately 50 per cent sunflower oil. This is contrary to section 5(1) of the Food and Drugs Act, which prohibits the sale of a product to be conducted in a false and misleading manner.

LIF Foods Inc. was also placed on probation for two years, and is prohibited from importing, exporting, and selling olive oil until April 27, 2012.

The CFIA is responsible for enforcing a number of acts and regulations including the Food and Drugs Act, which is intended to protect consumers from the marketing of products that do not meet prescribed standards. This helps ensure that all Canadians have confidence in the quality of food products they purchase.

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