Residents in Kingston, Ontario, are calling for clearer signs at a local grocery store after discovering grapefruits with labels that do not match the shelf display. On February 15, 2026, shoppers at the Farm Boy location at 940 Futures Gate noticed that while signs claimed the fruit came from Morocco, stickers on the actual produce identified them as Jaffa grapefruits from Israel.
The Jaffa brand is a trademark managed by the Plants Production and Marketing Board of Israel. This brand is specifically used for citrus fruits grown in and exported from Israel, which has led to concerns from shoppers about the accuracy of the store’s signs.
Under Canadian law, specifically the Safe Food for Canadians Act, it is illegal for stores to use labels or advertisements that give a false or misleading impression about where food comes from. These rules are in place so that people can make informed decisions based on their own ethical or dietary preferences.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is the federal group responsible for making sure businesses follow these labelling laws. This agency has the power to issue fines or take legal action against companies that provide incorrect information about where their products are sourced.
Local residents have expressed that transparency is important, especially as global interest in where food is grown continues to rise. Shoppers and local groups are looking for the grocer to ensure that all in-store signs correctly reflect the origin of the items on the shelves.
