A group of class action lawsuits against Maple Leaf Foods has been settled for at least $25 million.
The settlement, which is pending court approval, will be paid out to people who suffered harm from the company's Listeria-tainted products, as well as companies that were hurt financially by the recall. The final sum is between $25 million and $27 million.
The next step toward the suit's resolution comes when it goes before a judge early in the new year.
At least 20 people died after eating Listeria-tainted meat products produced by Maple Leaf Foods, which closed its Toronto plant and issued a recall on dozens of its products in late August. It was the second-largest meat recall in Canadian history.
Company president Michael McCain apologized for the contamination, saying he took full responsibility for the tragic events.
Maple Leaf recently conducted several thorough cleanings of its plant and overhauled its sanitation procedures.
