Canadians who purchased or consumed specific plant-based milk products later recalled due to a listeria outbreak have secured a multi-million dollar settlement with the companies involved. The $6.5-million agreement was reached with Danone Canada, Wal-Mart Canada Corp., and Intact Insurance Company.
Outbreak Details and National Recall
The settlement is directly tied to a listeria outbreak that prompted a nationwide recall in July 2024. The recalled products included several varieties of Silk and Great Value plant-based milk. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the outbreak resulted in 20 reported illnesses and three tragic deaths.
The class-action lawsuit was officially authorized by the Superior Court of Quebec on November 17, 2025. A settlement approval hearing is now scheduled for January 26, 2026.
Compensation Structure for Claimants
Joey Zukran, the lawyer representing the class members, noted that while it is too early to know the exact number of participants, compensation will be distributed based on the severity of the illness experienced after consuming the recalled products.
The payout structure is tiered:
- $400 for claimants who experienced symptoms for up to 48 hours.
- Up to $150,000 for those who developed severe, life-altering complications.
If the court approves the settlement, it will also resolve similar legal proceedings that were underway in British Columbia.
Plant Closures and Source Identification
In a significant development this past January, the Canadian company that processed the contaminated plant-based milk, Joriki, permanently closed all four of its processing plants. A company spokesperson confirmed that the majority of employees were laid off when it shuttered its two facilities in Ontario, one in British Columbia, and one in Pennsylvania owned by a subsidiary.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency identified Joriki's Pickering, Ontario plant as the source of the listeria outbreak. The agency reported that the outbreak occurred between August 2023 and July 2024, affecting individuals in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Alberta.
A spokesperson for Danone Canada stated that the company remains actively engaged in the legal process to achieve a timely and appropriate resolution for its consumers.
In a related economic context, data from Statistics Canada shows that plant-based beverages have been, on average, about 15% cheaper than dairy milk for most of the past six years.
