A Fort McMurray man has launched a $10-million class-action lawsuit claiming he and other people bought food from Wal-Mart Canada that was unfit for human consumption.

Warehouse technician William Young bought eggs, sausages, energy drinks, milk and water from the multinational retailer last May 25-29, according to a lawsuit filed last week.

Young claims he and other potential participants in the case suffered abdominal cramps, diarrhea, headaches, fever and vomiting as a result of using products from the Fort McMurray Wal-Mart contaminated by smoke and toxins released by last spring’s wildfire.

In January, Alberta Health Services charged Wal-Mart with 174 violations of the Public Health Act for selling fire-contaminated fresh and frozen last May, the lawsuit says.

It contends the company was negligent, failed to properly recall the products or remove them from sale, and still hasn’t taken responsibility for this inaction. 

Wal-Mart failed to thoroughly test the material before it was distributed to ensure it was safe and didn’t immediately remove any affected goods from the shelves once it discovered they might be contaminated or warn the public.

Young filed the case on behalf of himself and anyone else in Alberta who bought goods at the store and suffered illness, emotional distress or financial loss.

No trial date has been set. None of the allegations in the lawsuit has been proven in court.