The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says it’s investigating claims that Ontario’s second-largest organic chicken supplier falsely labelled conventional chicken products as premium “certified organic” in order to keep up with orders and ship on schedule.
Last week Vashti Dalipsingh, a former manager at Bradford-based Cericola Farms, which raises, processes and packages conventional and organic chickens for sale to major supermarkets like Loblaws, Costco and Sobeys, said she became aware of management instructions to falsely label products once she was promoted to director of operations.
Cericola, which says it’s been selling organic chickens for 56 years, calls the allegations “frivolous and vexatious” and intends “to vigorously defend against them in court.”
Dalipsingh says she dug into Cericola’s records and realized the practice had been going on for eight months before she was fired in April. She claims that up to 10,000 kilograms a week of conventional meat was intentionally labelled organic to keep up with demand from major grocers. Some was allegedly sold under the blue goose certified organic and certified humane label.
Dalipsingh says she confronted her employers and cancelled two shipments to Loblaws and Costco before she was terminated. She’s filed a wrongful dismal claim and is suing for damages.
Blue Goose, so far, is standing by Cericola, as is Loblaws, though the company said it would “act quickly” if the allegations are proven.
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