$27 Million Maple Leaf Listeriosis Settlement Approved by Courts: Simple claims submission process begins for largest human food contamination class action in Canadian History

    All claims must be filed by November 2, 2009 - forms available at

    www.mapleleafclaim.com or 1-800-801-2521.



    TORONTO, May 5 /CNW Telbec/ - People who believe they were affected by

listeriosis as a result of recalled meat products produced by Maple Leaf Foods

have the next 181 days to file a claim for financial compensation.

    A Canada-wide settlement of up to $27 million has been approved by the

Courts in Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec providing financial compensation

for people who purchased or consumed recalled meat products ("Recalled

Products") produced by Maple Leaf Foods, during the period January 1, 2008 to

August 31, 2008.How to Apply for Compensation

                        -----------------------------



    Anyone who believes they qualify for compensation can download a claim

form from the web site www.mapleleafclaim.com or by calling the

court-appointed Claims Administrator toll-free at 1-800-801-2521. If you are

unsure if you qualify, you are encouraged to call the Claims Administrator.

    All claims must be filed by 5:00 pm EST, November 2, 2009 and you are

encouraged to file your claim as soon as possible to avoid processing delays.

The only way to receive compensation is to submit a completed claim form to

the Court appointed Claims Administrator.



                               Who Should Claim

                               ----------------



    The settlement establishes a fund of up to $27 million to pay valid claims

for compensation relating to the physical or psychological harm caused by the

consumption of Recalled Products. The settlement provides varying amounts of

compensation to individuals who consumed recalled products and became sick or

died.



    The following claim submission facts should be noted:



    - Proof of purchase and consumption is not required. A sworn Declaration

      attesting to purchase and consumption is sufficient.



    - Proof of any listeria infection is not required. A sworn Declaration

      attesting to physical illness with flu like symptoms is sufficient.



    - Medical proof of illness or psychological trauma is required except in

      the case of illness lasting between 24 and 48 hours. In the latter

      case, no medical proof is required at all.



    People who purchased but did not consume Recalled Products are also bound

    by the settlement but are ineligible to be paid any compensation.



         SUMMARY OF LEGAL RIGHTS TO COMPENSATION IN THIS SETTLEMENT:



    A. Physical and Psychological Trauma Claims Without Medical Evidence Lump

       sum payment: $750.00.



    a. Physical symptoms consistent with listeriosis after consuming.

    b. Illness duration: 24 hours to less than 48 hours.

    c. Medical proof: None required.



    NOTE: If a claimant consumed recalled product and suffered from flu-like

    symptoms but never visited a doctor or hospital or clinic, he or she may

    claim at Level 1 as this is the level that does not require medical

    evidence to support a claim.



    B. Physical and Psychological Trauma Claims with Medical Evidence

       Payment range: $3,000 - $125,000 plus certain additional amounts.



    a. Physical symptoms consistent with listeriosis after consuming.

    b. Illness duration: More than 48 hours.

    c. Medical proof: Required.



    C. Psychological Trauma Only Claims with Medical Evidence

       Payment range: $2,000 - $17,500 plus certain additional amounts.



    a. Psychological trauma only, after consuming.

    b. Anxiety onset after August 17, 2009.

    c. Medical proof: Required.



    A list of over 242 Recalled Products which were identified as potentially

contaminated with the bacteria listeria monocytogenes, can be found on the

website www.mapleleafclaim.com.



                  Opting Out of the Class Action Settlement



    The only option that allows claimants to ever be part of any other lawsuit

against Maple Leaf Foods regarding the legal claims in this case, is by

submitting a signed "Opt Out" form postmarked no later than Friday August 7,

2009.

    Under the settlement approved by the courts, if a claimant chooses to do

nothing by the claims deadline of November 2, 2009, they will receive no

compensation and give up all of their rights to further legal action in this

matter.

For further information: visit www.mapleleafclaim.com or contact the

Claims Administrator: Bruneau Group Inc.: Maple Leaf Settlement Administrator,

1-800-801-2521, Fax: (613) 562-0321, info@mapleleafclaim.com; Do Not Contact

the Courts about this Settlement