Hundreds of people who fell sick from drinking tainted soy milk will share a $25 million settlement, with a Victorian court approving a deal between them and Bonsoy.
Most have recovered but some are still struggling with hypothyroidism and Graves disease and will need medication for the rest of their lives, Victorian Supreme Court Justice John Forrest said on Thursday as he approved the settlement.
The Bonsoy case, which started in 2010, centred on allegations unsafe levels of iodine were added to the ingredients of the soy milk product through a seaweed product called kombu.
Justice Forrest said most suffered from an illness consistent with iodine induced hyperthyroidism, a less severe condition than hypothyroidism.
The effects ranged from unpleasant short-term symptoms to an incapacitating illness but Justice Forrest said almost all recovered fully following treatment or when they stopped drinking Bonsoy.
A few will need medication for the rest of their lives and be significantly affected, he said.
Almost 500 people will now share in the biggest payout for a food safety case in Australian, law firm Maurice Blackburn said in a statement.
Lead plaintiff Erin Downie, who became ill shortly after giving birth to her daughter in 2008, celebrated the judge's decision.
"I've been through a lot due to drinking Bonsoy, and so have hundreds of others all over Australia," she said.
"Today means a lot because we now have a court approved result that indicates we were right to stand up to the companies involved."
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