A dozen people die from eating contaminated meat, prompting one of the
largest food recalls in Canadian history. 

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA (AUGUST 25, 2008) CTV -
 Twelve people have now died out of 26 confirmed cases of food
poisoning linked to deli meats produced at a plant owned by Maple Leaf Foods
Inc. Canadian health officials said Monday (August 25). 
    There are another 29 suspected cases of listeriosis, officials told
reporters, and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said the government expected
more cases in coming days. 
    Maple Leaf Foods, one of Canada's biggest meat processors, had said it
hoped to reopen the Toronto plant associated with the outbreak on Tuesday, but
health officials said they will test and hold all meat produced there until
they are satisfied it is not contaminated. 
    Maple Leaf has voluntarily pulled about 220 products made at the plant
in one of the biggest food recalls ever in Canada, with direct costs to the
company of about 20 million Canadian dollars (19 million U.S. dollars). 
    Listeria bacteria with the same genetic fingerprint as that found in
the ill people was found in two beef products made at the plant. Those
products and about 20 others made on the same lines were recalled last week.

    Listeriosis, an illness that is particularly dangerous for pregnant
women, the elderly, infants and people with weak immune systems, was a
contributing factor in seven of the deaths, the Public Health Agency of Canada
said. 
    Five others had the bacteria in their system, but the causes of their
deaths are still under investigation, said the agency's Mark Raizenne. 
    Previously, four deaths had been attributed to the outbreak. 
    Maple Leaf has said it's unlikely it will be able to determine how its
meat was contaminated, explaining that the listeria bacterium is common and
pervasive. 
    Maple Leaf is double-checking procedures at all of its 23 plants but
has no reason to believe any other products are at risk of contamination.
    Reimbursing customers for returned products, cleaning the plant and
other direct expenses will cost the company 20 million Canadian dollars before
tax. On top of the company's initial cost estimate, it may face reduced sales
and increased advertising costs. 
    Company president and CEO, Michael McCain has appeared in a series of
national ads apologising for the outbreak.
    "I offer my deepest sympathies. Words can not begin to express our
sadness for your pain. Maple Leaf Foods is 23,000 people who live in a culture
of food safety," McCain said in the commercial.
    Maple Leaf shares closed 10 percent lower ahead of the announcement of
the latest deaths as worries of financial liability from lawsuits, though the
company has product liability insurance. 
    But a lawyer known for aggressively pursuing class action lawsuits,
including against tainted pet food maker Menu Foods said his firm will take
action against Maple Leaf. 
    "There are people who are dead. People who area seriously injured.
And there are millions of Canadians who are worried about the meat they have
ate," Tony Merchant said in an interview with CTV News.