E.coli death prompts widower's lawsuit against Save-On-Foods

An Alberta man is suing Save-On-Foods and its parent company Overwaitea Foods after his wife died of E.coli poisoning after allegedly consuming beef purchased from the grocer.

According to a statement of claim filed in Edmonton Court of Queens Bench, Nancy Yauckfrom Beaumont, Alta,became "extremely ill" after eating the meat and died on Oct. 7, 2012.

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A major beef recall dueto E.coli contamination at XL Foods in Brooks, Alta.was underway at that time.

Yaucks spouse, Donald Johnson, claims that Save-On-Foods did not adequately ensure the beef was safe to eat.

He further alleges that staff at the grocery chain failed to take immediate and comprehensive measures to remove the product from their stores and disclose the possible E.Coli contamination to CFIA and the public.

Johnson is seeking $480,000 in damages. The allegations in the statement of claim have not been tested in court.

Save-On-Foods and Overwaitea Foods have not filed a statement of defence.