Chinese fruit compotes that caused a lot of ink to flow last September are still on sale in Quebec-Université Laval hospitals, even if the organization had confirmed that they were going to disappear from its cafeterias in October 2024.
Last fall, François Blouin, a fruit producer from Île-d’Orléans, had been scandalized by discovering tailoring compotes, oranges and pears made in China at the Child-Jesus hospital while Quebec farms have surpluses that do not find takers.
Asked about this, the CHU had confirmed that “all desserts served at the Cafeteria of the five hospitals in the CHU will come from Quebec products” from October 20, 2024.
Recently, employees of the university hospital center have contacted The newspaper To point out that the Asian fruits containers have never been removed from the food offer.
A tour of the cafeterias of the five hospitals in the organization in the last days has allowed the Journal to corroborate information.
Compotes of mandarins, oranges and pears made in China are still on sale at the Saint-Sacrement hospital, in Quebec, in March 2025. Photo Vincent Desbiens Le Journal de Québec
“Sweet desserts”
Placed before this contradiction, the Quebec CHU admitted having made an error by affirming at the time that all types of desserts were included in its initiative to put forward Quebec products.
“At the time, we had not made a specific distinction between sweet desserts and light desserts, which could lead to an erroneous interpretation. To clarify, sweet desserts come from Quebec products, while light desserts, such as fruits, are not included in this category for the moment, “said the organization in writing.
-She recalls that the purchase of food available in the five hospitals in the CHU, whose fruit compotes, is under the responsibility of the Center for Government Acquisitions (CAG).
Kon-Tiki brand compotes are also available for purchase at the Chul. Photo Vincent Desbiens Le Journal de Québec
“In the case of foodstuffs, in accordance with the law on public contracts, the CAG awards the contract at the lowest bidders in accordance,” continues the spokesperson for the Quebec-University University CHU.
Strict minimum
Joined on the phone, François Blouin said he was “disappointed, but not surprised” to learn that the surpluses of Quebec fruit producers will not enter hospitals in the old capital, as the CHU had suggested.
“I said I would believe it when I see it and I was right to think that. […] They will be barely minimum so that people stop crying, but never more, “he plague.
The fruit producer deplores that the government of Quebec shows an “obsession with the cost of acquisition which ignores the execrable conditions of production” rather than a real intention to enhance the products from here.
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