Manitoba Woman Files Class Action Lawsuit Against Loblaw Over Underweighted Meat Sales
Loblaw Companies Ltd. is facing legal pressure after a Manitoba woman filed a proposed class-action lawsuit, accusing the grocery giant of overcharging customers for underweighted meat sales. The claim, filed last week in the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench, could represent consumers across eight provinces.
Accusations of Misleading Practices
Iris Griffin, a resident of Hecla Island, is the lead plaintiff. She says she first noticed the issue in late 2023, when she bought ground beef at a Loblaw-owned Superstore in Winnipeg. Upon weighing it, she found the meat was 134 grams short, with the plastic tray making up the difference—an overcharge of almost 8 percent.
Her lawsuit names Loblaw Companies Ltd., Loblaws Inc., T&T Supermarket Inc., and Provigo Distribution Inc. as defendants. The claim argues that since at least 2023, the companies have used misleading weighing practices and violated Canadian food regulations that require pricing based on net weight only.
“They’re making profit off of the backs of Canadians, one plastic tray at a time,” said Griffin in an interview with CBC.
Backed by CBC Investigation
Griffin’s discovery prompted a CBC News investigation, which confirmed that some Canadian grocers—including Loblaw, Sobeys, and Walmart—were selling underweighted meat. The report indicated that some stores used the packaging to pad the total weight, potentially adding millions in unfair profit.
Advertisement
Although Loblaw apologized and claimed to have retrained staff and offered limited discounts, Griffin says the issue continued. Her statement of claim argues the company either deliberately or recklessly failed to fix the problem, despite complaints and media scrutiny.
Notably, her formal complaint to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) did not trigger fines or further inspection, relying instead on Loblaw’s self-assurance that the issue had been resolved.
Seeking Damages Across Canada
The lawsuit accuses Loblaw of:
- Breach of contract
- Misrepresentation
- Unjust enrichment
- Violations of the federal Competition Act
- Violations of provincial consumer protection laws in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island
If certified, the class action would seek general and punitive damages, and restitution for affected customers. The court documents say punitive damages are necessary to send a message and prevent future violations.
Advertisement
This lawsuit follows a similar class action filed in Federal Court earlier this year targeting Loblaw, Sobeys, and Walmart for alleged deceptive weighing practices.
A Broader Pattern?
Griffin’s legal challenge comes at a time when grocery prices are at an all-time high. Consumer advocates argue that these types of practices further erode public trust in major retailers.
The statement of claim describes Loblaw’s actions as part of a “pattern of willful disregard” for consumer protection and transparency.
Loblaw has yet to comment on the latest filing.
Have you ever felt suspicious about the weight of grocery items you bought? What steps do you take to make sure you’re getting what you pay for?
More…
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-underweighted-meat-proposed-class-action-1.7586065
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/meat-weigh-grocers-1.7440150
- https://globalnews.ca/news/10950133/loblaw-underweighted-meat-sold-prices
Advertisement
