Salmonella Onion Class Action Lawsuit Filed After Canadian Outbreak

Another class action lawsuit has been launched against Thomson International over salmonella infested onions. The claim was filed Aug. 27 before the Superior Court of Québec in Montreal.

If you are a Quebec resident who purchased and/or ate the red onions or any food product that came into contact with or contained red onions produced, packaged, shipped and/or marketed by Thomson International that were recalled due to salmonella contamination, as of May 1, 2020, you may be eligible to join the Quebec salmonella onion class action lawsuit.

Salmonella Laced Onions

Lead plaintiff Andrea Ashley Ducharme filed the salmonella onion class action lawsuit Canada against Thomson International after having reportedly consumed contaminated onions. Andrea got so sick that she was hospitalized at Montreal’s Royal Victoria Hospital, notes the class action.

During her hospitalization, Andrea received daily intravenous antibiotic treatments. She was unable to receive any visitors and was not allowed to leave her room. The salmonella onion class action lawsuit adds that even after her discharge from hospital, Andrea had to continue the intravenous antibiotic treatments and amassed a total of five weeks of antibiotic treatment.

According to the salmonella class action lawsuit Canada, Andrea suffered various injuries as a result of contracting the bacteria, including loss of income due to hospitalization and yeast infections due to antibiotic complications.

The salmonella onion class action lawsuit against Thomson International argues that based on Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC) advisories and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) Food Recall Notices due to the salmonella outbreak, the timing of Andrea’s consumption of the onions and her illness, there is a clear and logical inference between the salmonella infected onions and the injury endured by the lead plaintiff.

Salmonella Onion Canada Recalls

As of July, the CFIA published a food recall notice regarding a number of salmonella outbreaks linked with Thomson onions. In August, a new notice was published including Quebec as another Canadian province infected with Thomson International’s salmonella outbreak. After numerous food recall notices in both Canada and the U.S., Thomson recalled all red, white, yellow and sweet onions on Aug. 1, 2020.

As of Aug. 21, PHAC reported that “there have been 78 additional illnesses reported in the ongoing Canadian investigation. There are now 457 confirmed cases in Canada. One individual has died, but it is not known if Salmonella contributed to the cause of death.”

Before the onions imported from Thomson International Inc. were recalled, the wholesale company Sysco recalled its red onions imported from the U.S. due to reports of salmonella infections. The onions may have also been purchased by restaurants, stores, distributors and others who bought them from Sysco.

The salmonella onion class action lawsuit alleges that Thomson International was negligent in the quality control, monitoring, processing, storage, distribution, sale and public notification and timely recall of red onions, placing the lead plaintiff and Class Members at risk of contracting salmonella.

The lawyers leading the salmonella onion class action lawsuit Canada are seeking damages to compensate Class Members for the injuries suffered as a result of contracting salmonella. Additionally, the claim is seeking punitive and/or exemplary damages in an amount to be determined by the Court.

Second Canadian to Launch Class Action Lawsuit Over Contaminated Onions

The Quebec salmonella onion class action is the second recent lawsuit targeting Thomson International launched by a Canadian over tainted onions. In August, a lawsuit was commenced on behalf of a Canadian citizen living in the U.S. after she got sick from salmonella tainted onions from Thomson International.

The U.S. salmonella lawsuit claims plaintiff Kendra Cooper became sick with Salmonella Newport after eating a burger containing red onions from Thomson from a Carl’s Jr. in Edmonton, Alberta.

The salmonella class action lawsuit also blames Thomson International for the harm suffered by Class Members. The claim argues that the California based company was negligent and breached its duty of care by selling onions that were not fit to be eaten. Thomson international, argues the class action lawsuit, was expected to sell onions that were safe and free of bacteria.

Yet another salmonella class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. against Thomson International for the same reasons by a California man who allegedly got sick after consuming contaminated onions.

Have you suffered from salmonella tainted produce after consuming onions or any other food? What do you think about the salmonella onion class action lawsuit against Thomson International? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

Andrea is represented by Siskinds, Desmeules, Avocats, s.e.n.c.r.l.

The Salmonella Onion Class Action Lawsuit is Andrea Ashley Ducharme v. Thomson International, inc., Case No. 500-06-001090-204, in the Superior Court of Québec, District of Montreal, Canada.

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