'This is completely unacceptable': Unusually priced chicken breast in Loblaws draws backlash from consumers
Loblaws says the poultry was part of their 'premium' President's Choice "Free From" chicken line
A picture of high-priced chicken at a Loblaws store in Toronto drew a lot of attention recently on Twitter and has left many consumers confused and angry.
CTV News Toronto Queen's Park reporter Siobhan Morris tweeted a photo of a five-pack of poultry, being sold at a Toronto Loblaws for $27/kg on Tuesday. The tweet has been viewed by more than 3.4 million people.
I beg your pardon pic.twitter.com/3IIlc7xtY6
— Siobhan Morris (@siomoCTV) January 4, 2023
Many people joined in and called out Loblaws and CEO Galen Weston for setting ridiculously high prices during inflation.
Even Member of Parliament, Michael Coteau, called the price "unacceptable".
"There is no way Loblaws can justify this?" he tweeted.
This is completely unacceptable! Almost $40 for 5 pieces of chicken.
There is no way Loblaws can justify this? https://t.co/36qMFvQEWI— Michael Coteau (@coteau) January 4, 2023
Shortly after, Morris tweeted that Loblaws confirmed to her in a statement that the chicken was priced correctly and that the chicken was a club pack of "premium" poultry—described as President's Choice Free From Chicken.
That tiny PC FF indicates it's from the grocery chain's "free from" antibiotics line. The thing is, that higher priced "premium" chicken is usually more identifiable like on the right pic.twitter.com/e0jxuxeCIv
— Siobhan Morris (@siomoCTV) January 5, 2023
The "PC FF" on the label indicates its premium quality, the company said.
“The price per kilo is in line with, if not cheaper than, competitor pricing for similar premium products. Beyond the Free From line, we offer customers a variety of quality poultry at various price points,” the statement on CTV News read.
Nonetheless, the exorbitant high price has drawn major criticism and backlash from many consumers.
This is why flash mobs swarm grocery stores in 2023. Just saying... https://t.co/aj8TRrPz3n
— Dean Blundell🇨🇦 (@ItsDeanBlundell) January 5, 2023
I was in Loblaws yesterday and did a double take when I saw the same thing. Farmers say they get under $3/kg for chicken. #GrossProfits #Greedflation https://t.co/ZQydIoWM7m
— Stephen Lautens (@stephenlautens) January 5, 2023
Remember back during the election when 5% was the best Ford could do for #ODSP? Chicken is now 3% of that entire check. Who else thinks that's just.... wow? https://t.co/xo5fCXsLaM
— Joseph Vander Meer (@CanadaBasic) January 5, 2023
Loblaws and Galen Weston make me sick. https://t.co/c69WbJZ3ir
— Meg (@Megegans) January 5, 2023
It is well past time that the salaries of executives like Galen Weston are tied to the lowest waged worker. There is no reason why he should make more in a week than somebody else makes in a year https://t.co/qm1LrFs52f
— daanis (@gindaanis) January 4, 2023
The next time you see Galen Weston Jr. in one of those friendly, folksy commercials he does, remember that Loblaws are paying chicken farmers around $2.25 per kg, while they are selling chicken on to the public for $26 per kg! https://t.co/VY50Yn62KP
— Iain J. (@GoTrainAvenger) January 4, 2023
Shame on you @LoblawsON and #GalenWeston
You're paying farmers $2.25/kg and charging us $26.87/kg@JustinTrudeau When does the investigation of price-gouging start? https://t.co/nrYCfxCBL9— Tapestry - Trying to Make Sense of the Insanity (@Tapestry236) January 4, 2023