A Montrealer from the South-West, who contracted salmonellosis after eating one of the cantaloupes now recalled in Canada, is at the origin of the collective action which was launched at the beginning of the month in Quebec.
Towards the end of October, the main complainant had a whole cantaloupe delivered in a food delivery box and allegedly purchased another at a grocery store in the Sud-Ouest borough, according to court documents. authorization of collective action.
The Montrealer ate his melons in early November and began suffering from “a serious illness, including intense abdominal cramps and vomiting,” according to the documents.
He had to be hospitalized for six days at the Verdun hospital after laboratory tests during his admission confirmed the presence of salmonella.
“Petitioner’s illness was a direct result of a salmonella infection from the recalled products. This caused significant physical distress, mental anguish, emotional trauma and increased apprehension regarding the applicant’s health,” it said.
The plaintiff therefore wishes to pursue the cantaloupe brands Malichita – which has been the subject of a recall since November 1 – and Sofia Produce.
The class action request was filed on December 12 by the law firm Slater Vecchio LLP, which seeks to identify Quebecers who purchased a recalled cantaloupe sold between October 10 and November 24.
As of December 22, seven people have died while 164 cases of salmonellosis linked to recalled cantaloupes have been recorded, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). Quebec has the most cases with 111 confirmed contaminations.