Recently-released records held by the Canadian Food
Inspection Agency reveal that L.H. Gray and Sons Ltd. experienced persistent
quality-control problems stretching over three years from 2008 to 2011.
The records show that in 14 cases, the problems were so
severe that entire tractor-trailer loads of eggs were detained by the Canadian
Food Inspection Agency.
Some were at the company’s egg-grading facilities at
Strathroy and Listowel and some at its Lashbrook breaking plant in Elmira.
In October, 2010, the company was warned that its egg
cartons do not comply with labeling regulations; the company was given six
months to come into compliance with a new printing of cartons.
There were another seven reports of “shell egg failures” for issues
such as cracked and leaking eggs ready for shipment to stores.
There were also three cases of washwater failing to meet
standards, such as adequate temperature or bacterial content.
The records bolster allegations by Norman Bourdeau, a former
information technology officer with the company, that management adjusted the
automatic-grading machinery to allow cracks and dirts to be packaged as Grade A
eggs.
Bourdeau’s allegations are denied by Gray’s lawyers and have
yet to be tested in court.
