Peanut Man to Congress: I'm Not Talking

In what made for a shorter than expected meeting Wednesday in Washington, D.C., Stewart Parnell, owner of Peanut Corp. of America, refused to testify to Congress regarding the current salmonella outbreak.

More than 500 people have been sickened nationwide from products that originated from the company's Blakely plant, according to health officials.

Parnell, who invoked his right to not incriminate himself before a House subcommittee investigating the outbreak, allgedly told his workers to ship bacteria-tainted products, pleading with federal health officials that he should be allowed to “turn the raw peanuts on the floor into money.”

The outbreak may be linked to at least nine deaths reported nationwide to date.

Federal agents on Monday raided the Blakely peanut processing plant that is at the center of a salmonella investigation.

According to authorities, federal agents took with them boxes and other materials from the Peanut Corp. facility. Law enforcement also raided the company's headquarters in Lynchburg, Va.

Blakely Peanut Plant Raided by Federal Agents

Federal agents on Monday raided a Blakely peanut processing plant that is at the center of a salmonella investigation.

According to authorities, federal agents took with them boxes and other materials from the Peanut Corp. facility. Law enforcement also raided the company's headquarters in Lynchburg, Va.

Monday's raid comes less than a week after Food and Drug Administration investigators said the company knowingly shipped products from its Georgia plant after tests indicated the products were contaminated.

To date, more than 500 people have fallen ill to the salmonella outbreak, with eight deaths being investigated.

Salmonella Problem Impacts Local Boy Scouts

The salmonella contamination that was traced to a Blakely plant has now impacted local boys scouts.

According to officials with the Scouts, there has been a recall of a popcorn product sold by Scouts during recent fundraising drives. To date, there have been no reports of illnesses related to the product, but the measure is being taken as a precautionary step.

Trail's End Caramel Corn with Peanuts, with code dates of Jan. 19, 2008 through July 23, 2009, has been voluntarily recalled by the Weaver Popcorn Co.

Scout leaders have been sent e-mails about the recall and notices are posted in Scout offices. Scouts accepted orders for the popcorn in 2008 and the majority were delivered prior to the holidays.

To date, there have been more than 500 reported cases of salmonella across the country that authorities say are linked to the Georgia plant. Eight people have died, although officials cannot confirm that those deaths are a direct link to the plant.

Perdue: State Needs More Food Inspections

Georgia politicians are searching for answers over the nationwide outbreak of salmonella that has been traced to a Blakely peanut manufacturing plant.

Gov. Sonny Perdue reported the state needs a "zero fail" goal, noting that one instance of not protecting food safety is one too many.

According to Perdue, Georgia is not capable of having a state inspector in every plant everyday, but that it is important to make sure inspections are regular and thorough. Perdue also believes that criminal charges should be brought against a plant that has knowingly distributed tainted products.

To date, some 500 people nationwide have been sickened by the salmonella outbreak, with six reported deaths.

In an inspection of the Peanut Corp. plant in Blakely, inspectors discovered roaches, mold and a leaking roof. The company's internal records indicated at least a dozen positive tests for salmonella.

Report Says Mildew, Other Problems Found at Plant

According to a report released Monday by the state Department of Agriculture, investigators discovered mildew on a ceiling and other problems in 2008 at a peanut butter producing plant in Georgia that has been linked to a Salmonella outbreak.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported approximately 500 cases of salmonella illnesses in 43 states from the most recent outbreak, and says the bacterial infection may have been a factor in seven deaths.

Responding to the just released report, Peanut Corp. of America says, however, the problems were minor and were generally taken care of. The company halted production this month at its Blakely plant and has conducted a nationwide recall of peanut butter and peanut paste produced at its facility after July 1 of last year.

Noting an inspection report from Aug. 23, 2007, The New York Times highlighted at least three incidences in which "food-contact surfaces" were "not properly cleaned and sanitized."

In an apparent counter to the Times article, PCA released a statement noting, "When the observations were noted during inspections by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, corrective action was taken immediately where possible and subsequently when immediate action was not possible."

In an Oct. 23, 2008 report, an inspector reportedly discovered"mildew and possibly some static dust on ceiling of butter storage room." The report did not specify the amount of mildew.

A June 2008 inspection of PCA's Blakely plant discovered violations that included dust buildup on a fan in the butter room, and "possible metal flakes from metal scrubber which is used to clean outside of equipment," according to an inspection report. The report did not note where the flakes were discovered.

PCA reports that the peanut butter and peanut paste made at the Blakely plant were sold in bulk to manufacturers, and that the recall does not include any peanut butter jars sold directly to consumers.

Warning Continues on Foods Containing Peanut Butter

Health officials continue to warn people to avoid foods containing peanut butter, as the number of individuals sickened nationwide in a Salmonella outbreak involving the product has reached nearly 500 cases. The FDA has traced the outbreak to a Blakley, Georgia plant owned by Peanut Corp. of America, which produces peanut butter and peanut paste.

The illnesses have been noted in 43 states and Canada, and may have been a factor in the deaths of six people.

According to the government, consumers should stay away from cookies, cakes and other foods containing peanut butter for the time being. Peanut butter sold in jars to consumers is not considered a problem.

Salmonella Found in Some Peanut Butter at Georgia Facility

Health officials say that laboratory tests conducted by the Georgia Department of Agriculture have confirmed Salmonella contamination in some peanut butter manufactured by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) processing facility in Blakely.

According to an official, the sample that tested positive was from an unopened five-pound tub of King Nut Creamy Peanut Butter with “Best Before 1/07/10” collected at the plant by one of the GDA inspectors.

The testing was done in response to see if this is the type of Salmonella linked to illnesses nationwide. Health officials report that six people have died nationwide from a Salmonella outbreak, with more than 450 sickened in 43 states.

According to officials, PCA stopped production of peanut butter at its Blakely plant last week.

Salmonella Outbreak Sickens Residents in 42 States

Health officials are trying to get their hands around a nationwide salmonella food poisoning outbreak that has sickened nearly 400 people in 42 states.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the outbreak began last fall. The Department of Agriculture, state health officials and the Food and Drug Administration are also working on the case.

According to the CDC, poultry, cheese and eggs are the most common culprit of this particular strain, known as Salmonella typhimurium.

Which states have been impacted has been hard to uncover, with only Ohio state health officials agreeing to have their state named as one of those affected, noting an estimated 50 cases.