Notification of charges laid against The Blue Goose Cattle Company Ltd

August 31, 2021, Ottawa

After an investigation, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) laid 1 charge under the Food and Drugs Act against The Blue Goose Cattle Company Ltd. of North Vancouver, British Columbia on July 13, 2021.

The charge under the Food and Drugs Act pertains to The Blue Goose Cattle Company Ltd. selling beef as "certified organic" on or about the dates of March 7, 2017 and March 14, 2017 in British Columbia. The CFIA alleged that the beef sold as "certified organic" came from cattle that had been treated with hormones or antibiotics, or fed food that was not organic, by a previous owner, contrary to subsection 5(1) of the Food and Drug Act.

Subsection 5(1) of the Food and Drugs Act states that, "No person shall label, package, treat, process, sell or advertise any food in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive or is likely to create an erroneous impression regarding its character, value, quantity, composition, merit or safety."

On July 28, 2021, The Blue Goose Cattle Company Ltd. entered a guilty plea to this charge at North Vancouver location of the Provincial Court of British Columbia, and its sentencing hearing occurred. The sentencing decision will be delivered on October 27, 2021.

The CFIA is responsible for the administration and enforcement of federal legislation, acts and regulations, including the Safe Food for Canadians Act. The CFIA is dedicated to safeguarding food, animal, and plant health, which enhances the health and well-being of Canada's people, environment, and economy.

The CFIA issues notifications of charges laid to inform the public when charges have been laid by CFIA's Enforcement and Investigation Services (EIS). Charges are laid by EIS after the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) decides to prosecute the charges. This notice is part of our commitment to openness and transparency and ongoing efforts to increase awareness of our role in encouraging compliance with the various acts and regulations. In all cases, the subject of charges is presumed innocent until proven guilty.