XL Foods E. coli-tainted beef lawsuit to go ahead

A class-action lawsuit against XL Foods, the Alberta meat packer behind an E. coli outbreak and the largest beef recall in Canadian history, is moving ahead after a judge certified the $10-million nationwide lawsuit.

Lawyer Rick Mallett, who expects more than 200 plaintiffs to join the lawsuit, said it's difficult for an individual to go up against a corporate entity.

Some of those sickened by the beef have not recovered, he said.

"Some people said they have kidney issues. Many people live with significant stomach issues."

Alberta Court of Queen's Bench Associate Chief Justice John Rooke certified the suit in a hearing that ended earlier this week.

Notices will now be placed in newspapers across the country, Mallett said.

In all, 18 people became sick and more than 4,000 tonnes of beef were recalled from across Canada and the U.S in August and September 2012.

The outbreak shut down the packing plant in southern Alberta for weeks and led to its eventual sale.

Mallett expects the class-action suit will take up to two years to be resolved.