2008 Canada listeriosis outbreak
2008 Canadian listeriosis outbreak | |
---|---|
Location | Canada |
Date | August 2008 to December 2008 |
Deaths | 23[1] |
Injured | 35[1] |
The 2008 Canadian listeriosis outbreak was a widespread outbreak of
Origin and spread
Listeriosis is an infection caused by the
Response from Maple Leaf Foods
Maple Leaf Foods had instituted a voluntary recall before the outbreak was linked to their plant; upon confirming the link, they expanded the recall to all products from the Bartor Road facility. In a press conference, President and CEO of Maple Leaf Foods Michael McCain stated, "Tragically, our products have been linked to illness and loss of life. To those people who are ill, and to the families who have lost loved ones, I offer my deepest and sincerest sympathies. Words cannot begin to express our sadness for their pain."[5]
Officials from Maple Leaf believe that the outbreak originated sometime in July 2008 on line 8 or line 9 of the North York facility. Regardless, the entire plant underwent intense sanitation, which began August 21. About 80 workers were involved in the cleanup, with additional outside experts and microbiologists supervising the operation. They used
The recall reportedly cost the company $20 million, about ten times the original estimate.[7]
Political responses
Ontario Premier
On the federal political level, there was a debate on the
Gerry Ritz comments
On September 17, 2008, Agricultural Minister
Class-action lawsuits
Four separate class-action lawsuits were filed in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia. The lawsuit in Ontario claimed damages of $350 million.[12] All lawsuits were filed by Merchant Law Group.[13]
The lawsuits were settled in December 2008 for $27 million.[14]
All the cheques to claimants were mailed on the afternoon of February 3, 2012.[citation needed]
A court order for a "Pro Rata Reduction to all entitlements" was ordered, meaning that all claims were delivered at 93.04% of the original agreement. Claimants had until August 1, 2012 to cash their cheques.[15]
See also
Notes
- ^ a b c Weatherill, S. (2009). "Report of the Independent Investigator into the 2008 Listeriosis outbreak" (PDF). Government of Canada. p. vii. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
- ^ Picard, André (2008-08-26). "Q&A: Listeria". Toronto: The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 29 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-27.
- ^ "Canada links Toronto plant to deadly listeriosis outbreak". CNN. 2008-08-24. Archived from the original on 27 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-24.
- ^ "Inspectors averaged 2 hours a day inside listeria-infected plant". CBC. 2009-06-11. Archived from the original on 12 June 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
- ^ "Maple Leaf CEO Michael H. McCain Responds to Determination of Link to Plant". CNW Group. 2008-08-23. Archived from the original on 1 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-24.
- ^ Doolitte, Robyn (2008-08-22). "Cleansing begins at meat plant". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 24 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-24.
- ^ a b "More listeriosis cases expected; Maple Leaf Foods expands recall". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2008-08-25. Archived from the original on 6 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
- ^ "McGuinty credits early warning system with catching listeriosis outbreak". Canadian Press. 2008-08-22. Archived from the original on 6 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
- ^ a b c d Curry, Bill; Brodie Fenlon (2008-08-22). "Conservatives' pro-industry approach compromises food safety, Dion says". Toronto: The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 2 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
- ^ "Ritz sorry for 'tasteless' Listeria comments". CTV News. 17 September 2008. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
- ^ Brian Laghi; Campbell Clark; Karen Howlett (2008-09-18). "Harper stands by Ritz despite 'tasteless' jokes". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Archived from the original on 20 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
- ^ Flavelle, Dana (2008-08-26). "Lawsuits filed over tainted meat". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
- ^ "Maple Leaf Foods Class Action". Merchant Law Group. 2008-08-26. Archived from the original on 25 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
- ^ "Maple Leaf settles class action listeriosis lawsuits for $27M". CBC. 2008-12-18. Archived from the original on 18 January 2010. Retrieved 2010-02-28.
- ^ "Maple Leaf Foods Class Action Settlement". Merchant Law Group. 2011-11-08. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
References
- Listeriosis victims, families still waiting for compensation CBC October 8, 2011
External links
- Information on the outbreak, from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- List of possibly contaminated products as of August 24, from Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- Michael McCain "A message to Canadians", from the President & CEO of Maple Leaf Foods regarding the listeria recall.