A second peanut processing plant run by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) has been shut down after Texas authorities discovered Salmonella in peanut products processed there. Meanwhile, Stewart Parnell, president of Peanut Corporation of America, was subpoenaed to appear before Congress and testify concerning the involvement of his family owned business in this nation-wide Salmonella outbreak that has killed eight people and and sickened 600 more across 44 states, including one suspected case in Steuben County, NY.
PCA runs three peanut processing plants, in Georgia, Texas and Virginia. The Georgia plant was shut down several weeks ago, followed by the Texas plant Monday after laboratory results showed salmonella in samples of roasted peanuts, peanut meal and granulated peanuts. Additional analysis is needed to determine if the bacteria are the same strain of salmonella involved in the outbreak linked to the Georgia plant.
Federal Investigators have now expanded their investigation of PCA to include the Georgia plant. Unbelievably, the Texas plant has been operating since 2005, totally unknown to government regulators. It was not registered with the state and had never been inspected by health officials. State and federal officials only learned about the plant after the Food and Drug Administration began their investigation into the Salmonalla outbreak.
Federal investigators say Peanut Corporation’s Georgia plant knowingly shipped products contaminated with salmonella on 12 occasions in 2007 and 2008. The company makes peanut butter for institutions such as nursing homes and schools, and processes peanut ingredients used by other food companies in products ranging from energy bars to candy to dog biscuits.
The full list of of recalled products can be found on the FDA’s website by clicking here.
Salmonella is a serious illness that can be fatal to children, the elderly, and those with a weakened immune system. It causes nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
If you think you may have contracted Salmonella from the tainted peanut products you should see your doctor and be tested for Salmonella. Testing will confirm both the fact that you have Salmonella (as opposed to some other intestinal illness) and also confirm that the strain of salmonella you have is the same strain indicated in this peanut product outbreak.
If you have a package of the recalled peanut products and believe you may have contracted Salmonella DO NOT THROW IT OUT!!! Instead, secure the package so that no one else will consume it, attempt to locate your sales receipt showing your purchase of the contaminated product and consult legal counsel immediately.
The Ziff Law Firm will be accepting salmonella cases related to this peanut product recall, as we have in previous food-borne illness cases.
Thanks for reading,
ZiffLaw Attorney, Esq.
NY and PA Personal Injury and Malpractice Attorney
Ziff, Weiermiller, Hayden & Mustico, LLP
303 William Street
Elmira, NY 14901
Phone: (607)733-8866
Fax: (607)732-6062
Email: info@zifflaw.com
www.zifflaw.com
