South African food company Tiger Brands has agreed to its first limited payments to victims of the 2017/18 listeriosis outbreak, which killed more than 200 people and infected many more.
The source of the outbreak was identified as a Tiger Brands polony manufacturer in Polokwane, but the company has not admitted liability. A court case to determine this is currently underway.
In the meantime, Engineering News reported that agreement has been reached for payments to some individuals who have urgent medical needs.
“Even though liability has not yet been determined and Tiger Brands has no legal obligation to provide interim relief at this stage in the class action, the interim advance payment to select claimants with urgent needs recognises the debilitating circumstances in which they find themselves,” said Tiger Brands CEO Tjaart Kruger.
Attorney Richard Spoor, who has been leading the class action lawsuit against Tiger Brands, said the agreement on interim advance payments was an important first step towards justice for the victims of the listeriosis outbreak.
“The interim advance payments will go some way towards relieving the acute needs of the recipients,” Spoor stated.
