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Class-action launched over cantaloupe salmonella outbreak

By Brad Perry Jan 9, 2024 | 5:00 AM

A proposed class-action lawsuit has been filed in Canada amid a cantaloupe salmonella outbreak.

Canadian and U.S. health officials continue to investigate the outbreak of salmonella infections.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has said the likely source is Malichita and Rudy-brand cantaloupes.

At least 164 people have become sick in eight provinces, including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Ontario. That was the number of lab-confirmed cases as of Dec. 22.

PHAC officials said 61 people have been hospitalized and seven deaths have been reported.

Most of the people who became sick are children five years of age or younger and adults 65 years of age or older.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued several recall notices over the past two months in connection with the outbreak.

“Through these class actions, we strive to provide access to justice for Canadians who became sick from eating a contaminated product or who purchased a product that was rendered unfit for consumption due to its actual or potential contamination with Salmonella,” Anthony Vecchio, a partner at Slater Vecchio LLP, which launched the class-action suit.

The most recent lawsuit was filed Monday in British Columbia on behalf of all persons in Canada, excluding Québec residents, who purchased or claim to have fallen ill from consuming cantaloupes or other products that may have been contaminated with salmonella.

Slater Vecchio LLP previously initiated a class action on behalf of residents of Québec on Dec. 12, 2023.