Fruit giant Driscoll's faces class-action lawsuit in Quebec | CBC News

Suit alleges Driscoll’s fails to inform customers about presence of pesticide residues

Lawyers are asking a Quebec Superior Court judge to authorize a class-action lawsuit against American fruit giant Driscoll’s.

The lawsuit was lodged on behalf of a Quebec woman who consumes Driscoll’s berries.

“The failure to disclose this crucial information regarding berries marketed in Quebec is compounded by misleading representations concerning these products,” lawyers wrote.

Whistleblower alleges millions of Driscoll’s berries sent to Canada with excess chemical levels

The suit seeks to cover any individual who purchased Driscoll’s brand berries — including strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or blueberries — since Jan. 1, 2022.

In Quebec, it could take at least a year for a judge to determine if a lawsuit meets the legal criteria for authorization.

The allegations made by former Driscoll’s employee David Harada sparked concern about food safety among Canadians.

The chemicals include bifenthrin, iprodione and captan: fungicides and insecticides.

Are the raspberries in my fridge OK to eat? What to know about chemical levels on Driscoll's berries

Harada sued the company in California for unlawful retaliation after he alleges he was retaliated against for speaking up about his findings.

Driscoll's has said that it amended its controls to comply with Canadian standards, adding the company has never knowingly shipped products it believed to be unsafe.