We are still waiting for the Release of Taybeh Wine and Beer from the LCBO

Perhaps you would like to ask the LCBO and CFIA why!

Purchased by LCBO, these quality beers and wines from Taybeh arrived in Canada mid-July 2019.

Taybeh Beer (Amber, Dark, Golden, IPA and White)

Nadim Wine by Taybeh (2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015 Merlot, 2017 Syrah, 2018 Sauvignon Blac, and Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Grand Reserve)

Labels had been pre-approved by the LCBO. The product was made ready through the usual LCBO testing and administrative procedure; and on August 2, 2019 was ready to be released under the LCBO World Destination Program and to those who had made private orders.

Then on August 6, 2019, after the court ruling that wine from Israeli settlements could NOT be labeled as “product of Israel,” the LCBO contacted Palestine Just Trade, the exclusive agent for Taybeh in Canada to indicate the order of Taybeh wine and beer were being put on hold “due to the court ruling.”

Dimitri Lascaris who is acting as legal counsel for Palestine Just Trade wrote about this in a blog, “Canadian Food Inspection Agency Coddles the Oppressors, Victimizes the Oppressed.” Read the full details HERE.

Taybeh is based in Ramallah in the West Bank, which is formally under the control of the Palestinian Authority. None of Taybeh’s products are produced in Israel’s illegal settlements. The court case, which subsequently has been appealed by the Canadian government, has nothing to do with products from Palestine. It is specific to wines from Israeli settlements considered illegal under international law and according to Canadian policy.

Over the last several months, a number of people have contacted the LCBO and CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency), however as far as we have heard, responses have not been received from either agency based on what people have indicated.

At this point, the Taybeh products continues to held by the LCBO, while Palestine Just Trade Inc. waits to hear if the product will be released.