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March 26, 2019, Ottawa – As a result of an investigation by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), three charges were laid under the Criminal Code, the Food and Drugs Act and the Canada Agricultural Products Act against Produits Vegkiss Inc. and Jean Otis on March 15, 2019, in Joliette, Quebec.
The three charges allege that Produits Vegkiss Inc. and Jean Otis have:
- committed fraud over $5,000 contrary to subsection 380(1)(a) of the Criminal Code;
- sold 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, which is a violation of subsection 5(1) of the Food and Drugs Act; and
- packaged a product in a container that has a label that misrepresents the quality, quantity, composition, nature, safety, value, origin or variety contrary to subsection 6(1) of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Regulations, committing an offence under the Canada Agricultural Products Act.
Produits Vegkiss Inc. and Jean Otis will appear before a Court of Quebec judge at the Joliette courthouse, at 200 St-Marc Street in Joliette, Quebec, at 9:30 a.m. on March 27, 2019.
CFIA is responsible for the administration and enforcement of federal legislation, acts and regulations, including the Food and Drugs Act, and the Canada Agricultural Products Act. CFIA is dedicated to safeguarding food, animal, and plant health, which enhances the health and well-being of Canada's people, environment, and economy.
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.