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In-Depth: The Landmark PCA Case

 

The 2008-2009 Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) Salmonella outbreak in peanut product outbreak caused 723 clinically proven illnesses in 46 states and killed nine people.  The outbreak involved the recall of over 3,900 different types of products from more than 360 companies. The 2014 trial of PCA executive resulted in the return of nearly 100 guilty verdicts.  The 2015 landmark sentencing resulted in the most significant imposed punishment of food industry executives for crimes related to contaminated food.

Food Safety News.  September 23, 2015.  Available online at: http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2015/09/bearing-witness-to-justice-at-the-pca-sentencing/#.VgKDMN9Viko  

 

On Monday, Sept. 21, 2015,  I bore witness to the sentencing of three Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) executives convicted for their roles of knowingly selling Salmonella Typhimurium-tainted peanuts to food processing manufacturers, which then made their deadly way to consumers in 46 states 2008 - 2009.

Food Safety News.  September 18, 2015.  Available online at: http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2015/09/pca-does-not-reflect-all-in-the-food-industry-2/#.VfwHfhHBzGc

 

An important lesson out of this PCA outbreak and criminal trial is that our food industry includes only a very small percentage of companies whose low level of ethics and poor track record of food safety is as egregious as this one. Perhaps the upcoming sentencing will serve as a warning to them.

Food Safety Tech News.  August 25, 2015.  Available online at: https://foodsafetytech.com/news_article/when-someone-dies-its-not-business-as-usual/

 

This landmark case sends a strong message about accountability to both industry and consumers, said Darin Detwiler...

Food Quality and Safety Magazine. April 13, 2015.  Available online at: http://www.foodqualityandsafety.com/article/blowing-the-whistle-on-wrongdoings/

 

This is the second in a three-part account of a 2008-2009 nationwide food safety crisis.

"PB & JAIL"

By Zero Point Zero Productions, Inc.

The new original series Food Crimes focused on the federal case involving Stewart Parnell, the convicted CEO of Peanut Corporation of America.  He knowingly allowed Salmonella-tainted peanuts to enter the market, resulting in the deaths of nine people, the hospitalization of hundreds more and as much as $1 billion in economic fallout. 

 

Christine Haughney, their Senior Investigations Editor, interviewed Darin Detwiler for this report.

Food Safety News.  September 25, 2015.  Available online at: http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2015/09/praise-for-an-unlikely-whistleblower/#.VgU56MtViko

 

Kenneth Kendrick is a former assistant plant manager of the Plainview, Texas, peanut processing facility once owned by the now-defunct Peanut Corporation of America (PCA).  In 2006, he observed numerous problems, including rat infestations, bird nests, and a roof leak — all of which triggered his concern for feces in the product. 

Last year PCA Owner Stewart Parnell was found guilty of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and wire fraud involving covering up the shipment of salmonella-tainted peanut products.

 

This is an exclusive interview between Food Safety Tech Editor Maria Fontanazza and Darin Detwiler, Senior Policy Coordinator at STOP Foodborne Illness, at IAFP 2015.

Food Quality and Safety Magazine.  February 20, 2015.  Available online at: http://www.foodqualityandsafety.com/article/cracking-the-case-of-a-multi-state-salmonella-outbreak/?tzcheck=1

 

This is the first in a three-part account of a 2008-2009 nationwide food safety crisis.

Food Quality and Safety Magazine.  June14, 2015.  Available online at: http://www.foodqualityandsafety.com/article/holding-food-companies-accountable/ 

 

This is the third in a three-part account of a 2008-2009 nationwide food safety crisis.

Cited in the following articles:

 

Haughney, C. (2015, September 23).  “In Court, Convicted Peanut Exec’s Sister Gets Aggressive, Ejected.”  Food Republic.  Available online at: http://www.foodrepublic.com/2015/09/23/in-court-convicted-peanut-execs-sister-gets-aggressive-ejected/

 

Lynn, M.  (2015, September 23). “Executive who Shipped Tainted Peanuts gets 28 years; 9 died of Salmonella.”  Ledger Gazette.  Available on line at: http://www.ledgergazette.com/executive-who-shipped-tainted-peanuts-gets-28-years-9-died-of-salmonella/81858/

 

Fontanazza, M.  (2015, September 22).  PCA Executives Sentenced: Stewart Parnell Gets Virtually Life in Prison.”  Food Safety Tech.  Available online at: https://foodsafetytech.com/news_article/pca-executives-sentenced-stewart-parnell-gets-virtually-life-in-prison/

 

Horsfall, S. (2015, September 22). “You’re Right, Darin — PCA Does NOT Reflect All in the Food Industry.” California Leafy Green Marketing Agreement (LGMA.)  Available online at: http://www.lgma.ca.gov/2015/09/youre-right-darin-pca-does-not-reflect-all-in-the-food-industry/

 

McKenna, M.  (2015, September 22).  “Peanut Poison Case Warns Food Companies to Take Salmonella Seriously.”  National Geographic.  Available online at: http://theplate.nationalgeographic.com/2015/09/22/peanut-poison-case-warns-food-companies-to-take-salmonella-seriously/

 

Stafford, L.  (2015, September 21).  “Peanut CEO gets 28 Years in Tainted Food Case.”  Atlanta Journal-Constitution.  Available on line at: http://www.myajc.com/news/news/local/peanut-ceo-gets-28-years-in-tainted-food-case/nnkPF/

 

Haughney, C. (2015, September 17).  “Food Phobias and the Curse of Knowing Too Much.”  Food Republic.  Available online at: http://www.foodrepublic.com/2015/09/17/food-phobias-and-the-curse-of-knowing-too-much/

 

Haughney, C. (2015, September 15).  “Deadly Peanuts, Foodborne Pathogens and the Possibility of Life in Prison: The Federal Government Makes an Example of Convicted Peanut Executive Stewart Parnell.”  Food Crimes.  Available online at: http://www.foodrepublic.com/2015/09/15/deadly-peanuts-foodborne-pathogens-and-the-possibility-of-life-in-prison/

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