Doug Ford calls out Toronto grocer Pusateri's for 'disgusting' price gouging on hand wipes

A high-end Toronto grocer is offering an apology to its customers after being called out by the Ontario Premier Thursday for "taking advantage and price gouging" during the COVID-19 crisis.

During a news conference Thursday, Doug Fordreceived a question from the media on how his government is responding to concerns of retailers raising their prices on certain items, such as disinfecting wipes, as a result ofincreased demand.

The Premier didn't mince words.

"I have zero, zero tolerance for price gouging. I'm calling him out. Pusateri's. I hear that they're selling hand wipes for $30 a tin? That's disgusting. Absolutely disgusting a company like that would be selling hand wipes for that cost," he said.

"We have so many great companies, vast majority of companies around this province, around this country are trying to help people out ... People would have the nerve to actually jack-up their prices to $30 a container for hand wipes? It's beyond belief."

Under Ontario's state of emergency legislation, Premier Doug Ford and his government have the power to "prohibit charging unconscionable prices in respect of necessary goods, services and resources."

In an email to CBC News,President and CEO of Pusateri Fine Foods Frank Luchettasaid: "While no excuse, our stores are facing immense pressure on all levels of operation. As a result of this mounting pressure, critical elements were overlooked including the incorrect pricing of this product."

"This was our mistake, our error, our oversight and we apologize to everyone impacted."

Luchetta went on to say the store would refund anyone who had purchased the productand would be reviewingand adjustingthe prices of any products they'd "improperly" listed.

Ford went on to deliver a stern warning to any company planning to raise prices on essential items during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We're bringing this to Cabinet, and we're going to put an order that it's going to illegal for price gouging," he said.

"We're coming after you. We're going to come after you hard. I'm going to protect the people of this province."