South African food producer Tiger Brands has proposed a settlement to individuals affected by the 2017 listeriosis outbreak, a significant step toward concluding a class action lawsuit related to the deadly incident that claimed around 200 lives and left over 1,000 people ill.

The proposed settlement was submitted on April 25, 2025, by the legal representatives of the company’s primary insurer, QBE Insurance Group Limited. The offer targets specific groups of claimants affected by the outbreak, with compensation covering all verified losses, pending final agreement on the process for determining individual damages.

To protect claimants’ confidentiality, details regarding compensation amounts and payment terms will remain confidential.

The listeriosis outbreak, traced back to contaminated processed meat products made by Enterprise Foods, a subsidiary of Tiger Brands, began in January 2017 and became one of the world’s deadliest recorded cases of the disease.

Tiger Brands CEO Tjaart Kruger described the settlement proposal as a major development, noting it comes soon after interim financial assistance was extended to some victims in urgent need earlier this year.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs will now communicate the offer to eligible claimants. Those who agree to the terms will undergo a process to determine the extent of their damages. The settlement must still be reviewed and approved by the High Court to ensure it is fair and equitable for all members of the class action. The full process is expected to take several weeks.