A new settlement offer has been made to help resolve the long-running listeriosis class action case.
Tiger Brands has confirmed that attorneys representing its lead reinsurer, QBE Insurer Group Limited, have presented the offer to the plaintiffs’ attorneys.
To protect the privacy of those involved, the specific details of the settlement and any payments will not be shared publicly.
Offer to be implemented quickly
Tiger Brands CEO Tjaart Kruger said the company and the insurer’s attorneys are now working with the plaintiffs’ attorneys to ensure the offer is implemented quickly.
This includes agreeing on compensation amounts for those who accept the offer.
“Today’s announcement represents an important milestone and follows shortly on measures already taken in February 2025 to offer interim relief in the form of advance payments to identified claimants with urgent medical needs.
“It also demonstrates our commitment to continue to work closely with our insurers and their appointed attorneys to explore a resolution of the entire class action,” said Kruger.
No admission of guilt
Azure Fey, Tiger Brands’ group media and PR manager, said the offer was subject to certain conditions. It is being made without any admission of legal fault. And it is intended to fully and finally settle the claims of the listed individuals.
Fey said the reinsurer made the offer with the full support and agreement of Tiger Brands. The reinsurer is leading the defence in the case.
The settlement proposal is aimed at specific individuals who belong to certain groups of people. Those affected by the 2017-2018 listeriosis outbreak. The outbreak was caused by a specific strain (ST6) of the Listeria monocytogenes bacterium.
These groups include people who became ill from listeriosis caused by ST6. Or whose mothers contracted the illness. Also people who were financially dependent on someone who died from listeriosis caused by ST6. And people who were responsible for someone who contracted listeriosis caused by ST6.
This offer was made on April 25. It includes a promise to pay proven or agreed compensation. This will be according to Section 61 of the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008.
Eligible claimants
The plaintiffs’ attorneys will now present the offer to eligible claimants. And according to Fey, it is expected that this part of the process will take several weeks. It will be followed by more time to calculate the exact compensation for each accepted claim.
She said the class action itself is being managed in two stages. The case is still in the first stage, where the court is deciding whether Tiger Brands is legally responsible.
If the court finds that Tiger Brands is liable, the second stage will follow. And it will deal with whether the company’s actions caused the harm and how much compensation should be paid.
