The local owner of a catering franchise linked to 20 cases of salmonella in Ottawa told CBC News he is treating the outbreak "as if it’s his fault" and said he suspects ground beef as a potential cause.

Ottawa Public Health today increased the confirmed case count to 24, including four adults, and the remainder children from a variety of area schools, now including Stittsville Public School.

Jonathan Morris, who has operated a franchise of "The Lunch Lady" for five years, said hebelieves the food in question is ground beef used to make tacos and curly lasagna.

Ottawa Public Health has not implicated any specific food.

Morris is meeting with public health officials Thursday and has also sent a letter to thousands of parents. He said some parents have already cancelled their lunch service, while others are offering support.