After more than a dozen people died from infections with Listeria, and dozens of others suffered illnesses, there are increased calls for a class-action lawsuit against the alleged source of the listeriosis outbreak, Maple Leaf Foods.

One of those possibly infected by the now-recalled products from Maple Leaf's contaminated plant, 53-year-old Cezanne Bilodeau, told CBC News that she was one of those who had joined a proposed class action lawsuit. She says the legal action is not about the money, but is meant to prevent such deadly incidents from occurring again.

There has been much hype around Salmonella and E. coli food borne infections, but, in fact, they have very low mortality. However, Canada has been hit by an outbreak of a much more dangerous bacterium, which has a mortality rate 25 times higher than Salmonella. Dozens of people have acquired listeriosis, a bacterial infection caused by a gram-positive bacterium called Listeria monocytogenes, of whom fifteen have already died. Twelve of the deaths were in Ontario, one in B.C., one in Quebec and one in Saskatchewan.

The problem is that the bacteria can have an incubation period as long as 70 days, and many more might become ill. Maple Leaf was a popular brand in nursing homes, meaning that those with the weakest immune systems may have been affected.

Canada's Public Health Agency has found that Maple Leaf Foods of Ontario appears to be the source of the deadly bacteria. The company issued a wide recall of its products, whose complete list can be found at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Web site. Around 220 products are recalled, amounting to nearly $20 million. The plant was completely shut down to allow for heavy sanitizing. Maple Leaf has product liability insurance.

Listeria monocytogenes is commonly found in soil, stream water, sewage, plants, and food. They are able to grow at temperatures ranging from 39°F, the temperature of a refrigerator, to 99°F, the body's internal temperature. Listeria is able to infect the fetus by penetrating the endothelial layer of the placenta. The bacterial infection is treated with antibiotics such as ampicillin, vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, linezolid, azithromycin, and cotrimoxazole.