Pretoria – The Department of Health has welcomed Tiger Brands’ decision to settle the listeriosis class action lawsuit, calling it a significant step toward justice and healing for the families of those affected by the 2017 outbreak.
By Noko Mashilo
The outbreak, which claimed 218 lives and sickened more than 820 people, was one of the most severe foodborne disease incidents in South Africa’s history. Investigations traced the contamination to processed meat products—mainly polony and viennas—manufactured at Tiger Brands’ Polokwane facility and distributed through their Germiston centre.
“This settlement represents an important milestone to bring this lengthy legal matter to finality and closure for the families whose loved ones succumbed to this deadly, but preventable and treatable disease,” said Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale.
The Department commended the collaborative work of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), legal firms Richard Spoor Inc. and LHL Attorneys, and Tiger Brands, for centering the victims’ suffering throughout the complex legal process.
The NICD played a crucial role by supplying essential medical records to support investigations and enable informed decisions regarding potential claims.
In an effort to ensure all affected individuals are heard, the Department has urged anyone with credible evidence linking the listeriosis outbreak to the loss of their loved ones to come forward. This will allow access to relevant clinical records and help determine the validity of claims for compensation.
Listeriosis is a serious foodborne illness caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. This bacteria is commonly found in soil, water, and vegetation, and can contaminate animal products and fresh produce during handling or processing.
The outbreak underscored the critical importance of consistent and rigorous food safety practices—especially in the preparation and distribution of ready-to-eat foods at scale.
“Food safety and hygiene practices are not only essential to public health, but are key to preventing illness, reducing food waste, and avoiding expensive product recalls,” Mohale added.
In South Africa, food safety oversight is shared across departments: the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC). Local governments are responsible for municipal health services, including the enforcement of food safety regulations. The DTIC manages the safety of fish and fishery products, while Agriculture oversees meat safety and animal health.
The Department reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening intersectoral cooperation and enforcing high food safety standards to prevent future outbreaks.
