Tiger Brands cooperates with class action lawsuit
BRYANSTON – Tiger Brands has said that while it has not been found liable it will respond appropriately to each of the claims.
Tiger Brands, whose head offices are based in Bryanston, have decided not to oppose a class action lawsuit filed against the company following a listeriosis outbreak.
An outbreak of the food-borne disease caused widespread panic across the country and lead to the deaths of about 180 people. In March, Enterprise Foods, which sells products such as Vienna sausages and polony and is a subsidiary of Tiger Brands, recalled some of its products.
The Department of Health identified the Enterprise Food Production facility in Polokwane as the source of the outbreak, which was caused in particular by cold-meats such as polony.
At the time Lawrence Mac Dougall, CEO at Tiger Brands said in a statement, “We are being extra vigilant and cautious as consumer safety remains our highest priority and therefore immediate action is being taken. Additionally, we have suspended operations at both Enterprise manufacturing facilities [Polokwane and Germiston] and have halted supply to trade.”
On 6 December the Polokwane facility was reopened and on 12 December the Germiston facility was reopened following rigorous assessments which allowed the company to obtain an official Certificate of Acceptability thereby giving the company licence to resume production.
Shortly after the outbreak, it was announced that there would be two class-action lawsuits by a number of claimants. The two lawsuits were combined into one which was granted by the Johannesburg High Court.
In a statement Tiger Brands reiterated that it had not been found liable for the listeriosis outbreak, however, should it be found responsible, it will respond appropriately to each of the claims. Mary Jane Morifi, chief corporate affairs officer for Tiger Brands, said that they had committed to working closely with the attorneys to expedite the matter. This includes sharing the costs associated with a communication campaign across the country to inform those who might have a claim.
Notices of the class action will appear in newspapers, social media postings and on the radio as well as on the websites of Tiger Brands and the class action attorneys and health practitioners.
In the statement, Richard Spoor, who is leading the class action against Tiger Brands, applauded Tiger Brands for its willingness to assist and move the process along as swiftly as possible.
“We are committed to ensuring that the legal process runs smoothly and as quickly as possible. In managing the application for the certification of the class action in this manner, we have been able to substantially shorten the time taken for this part of the legal process,” concluded Morifi.
The Department of Health reiterated that while the source of the outbreak had been identified, it does not mean that consumers are at no risk of catching the food-borne disease. They encourage all consumers to practice good food hygiene.
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