Canadian Company Illegally Sold Harp Seal Oil In U.S., Authorities Say

A Canadian company pleaded guilty Monday in Michigan federal court to transporting and selling harp seal oil capsules, authorities said, thereby violating the Lacey and Marine Mammal Protection acts.

FeelGood Natural Health Stores Ltd. listed the capsules for sale in the United States on its webpage and a third-party platform from April 2019 to May 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Whitby, Ontario-based business received a notice of shipments seized by the federal government, yet still shipped at least 936 bottles of the capsules valued at over $10,000, authorities said.

FeelGood faces a fine of up to $500,000 and five years probation, but under the plea deal, a $20,000 fine and three years probation is expected to be recommended, according to the department.

The Department of Justice's Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan prosecuted the case. Sentencing is set for Sept. 28.