This Montreal supermarket was just fined over $4,000 by MAPAQ for food safety violations
Despite the fines, the place maintains a 4.1-star average on Google.
According to records published on September 12, the market, located on Boulevard Marcel-Laurin, was found guilty of two separate infractions.
A supermarket in Saint-Laurent has been fined more than $4,000 after Quebec's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) flagged multiple violations of provincial food safety rules.
According to records published on September 12, Marché Lian Tai, located at 1993 Boulevard Marcel-Laurin, was found guilty of two separate infractions.
- The first violation, from March 7, 2024, was for failing to properly keep and provide records of its food purchases and suppliers, as required under Quebec's food safety law. That resulted in a $2,500 fine.
- The second, dated August 2, 2024, concerned improperly storing perishable foods at safe temperatures — anything other than whole fresh fruits and vegetables must be kept at 4°C or lower until delivered to customers. For that infraction, the business was fined $1,800.
Both judgments were handed down by Montreal municipal court on September 12, 2025, for a total of $4,300 in penalties.
Despite the fines, Marché Lian Tai maintains a 4.1-star average on Google reviews. But digging into the ratings shows a split: five-star reviews are common, yet one-star reviews are the third most frequent. Several of those low ratings echo the same concerns raised in MAPAQ's findings.
"I had bad experience shopping there. They sell expired food and some tofu products' packages are even open. Check carefully the expiration date if you want to shop there. Don't recommend at all!"
"EXPIRED FOOD!! The food I purchased has expired half years. They put this product just in front of the cashier. Highly doubt they never check the expire date of their products. I am eight months pregnant and I am happy I check the expire date before I eat the food."
"I'm easy, I don't mind anything except selling expired food. What's even more outrageous is that this item has been expired for a year. When I contacted the merchant, their staff gave me a bad response as if I made a mistake. I have complained to the BBB."
MAPAQ notes that if a restaurant or business remains open, it means corrective measures have been made. Inspectors follow up to ensure standards are respected, and temporary closures are only ordered when there's an immediate danger to public health.
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