(Vancouver) A third class action has been filed over salmonella-tainted cantaloupes, which have sickened people across Canada.
The law firm Slater Vecchio said it has filed a lawsuit in British Columbia against the Mexican company Malichita, which grew the cantaloupes, and two American companies.
The law firm filed a similar lawsuit last month in Quebec on behalf of a Montrealer hospitalized with a salmonella infection. Lawyers argue the latest class action is on behalf of all people outside of this province who have been affected by the salmonella outbreak.
Ontario law firm Siskinds also proposed a class action in Manitoba, alleging a Sarnia, Ont., woman became ill after eating cantaloupe that she claimed was contaminated with salmonella.
The claims have not been adjudicated in court, and the proposed class actions must be certified by the courts to move forward.
The Public Health Agency of Canada said in its latest update last month that seven people have died from salmonella linked to cantaloupes, and there have been 164 laboratory-confirmed cases in eight provinces, including 111 in Quebec. The organization said the majority of people who have fallen ill are aged five or younger, and 65 and older.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency first issued recall warnings on 1er November, which were later expanded to include Malichita and Rudy brand cantaloupes, as well as various types of pre-cut cantaloupes and fruit platters sold in stores.