Posted on 02/09/2009 4:41:14 PM PST by devane617
Blakley, GA (WALB) - The Peanut Corporation of America plant is sealed off by federal authorities as both the FBI and FDA investigate.
Around 11:00, more than a dozen agents entered the Peanut Corporation of America plant in Blakely as part of the criminal investigation of the plant.
The facility was shut down January ninth when the FDA identified the plant as the source of the Salmonella outbreak that sickened more than 500 nationwide.
Natalie Wilkerson
A set of bolt cutters and black brief cases where wheeled into the Peanut Corporation of America plant just after eleven. Not long after a trailer and vehicles made their way through the gate to the rear of the plant. For some in Blakely the FBI is a welcome sight.
Around 12:30 two congressional investigators from the Energy and Commerce committee arrived and after a few pictures made their way into the plant, only to return an hour later with not much to say.
Some worry what the FBI's presence at the plant will do to an industry as important as peanuts in Blakely.
"Peanuts are very, very important here in our area, plus my husband farms and we do farm peanuts," said Angel Mathis.
The FDA on Friday said the plant knowingly shipped out product from this facility even though it tested positive for Salmonella before any retesting was done. The FBI won't tell us whether they will be back again tomorrow or if this was a one day operation.
The Senate Agriculture Committee is scheduled to consider a measure next Monday that will require food makers to alert state inspectors within a day of internal tests that show food contaminants.
It also would force the companies to conduct the tests at least once a year.
I was hoping to see duct tape over Jimmy Carter’s mouth.
Jimmy Carter could not be reached for comment; however, a letter from his office placed all blame on “Da Joooooooooos.”
And here I thought that China was the source of all poisoned food.
I wonder how many illegals they had working there...Georgia is famous for this...this is why Chambliss wanted amnesty...cheap labor for the chicken plants.
Big difference between this case and what China does. In this case it was an isolated plant that the investigators were faking inspection reports.
In China its all the plants and there are no faked reports.
They probably pooed on the peanuts like they did the produce in CA not long ago.
I’m gonna miss my Reese’s Cups.
(no, I don’t know if they were on the contaminated list. I just ain’t taking chances.)
. The anti-tobacco movement worked so well, so its time to give a go at peanuts. (Just something that crossed my mind)
Just like your California, example, btw.
If you don't want to buy Chinese food products, by all means don't. That is the way the free market works - punish unreliable suppliers by not buying their goods.
And yes, I try to avoid Chinese products for the reliability issue. That doesn't mean I'm going to accuse them of trying to poison all their customers because some of their products are bad. There are bad/incompetent actors everywhere, even in Georgia in the good old U.S.A.
Common sense is a good thing.
Having worked in the food processing industry, I can tell you that there are a number of people going to jail. Hard time.
Food processing is one industry in which paranoia (over contamination of any type) pays well. These clowns are going to the slammer.
This was so simple to avoid and they got lazy.
“Making excuses for Americans is hypocritical, especially when raving hysterically against Chinese products. “
Whose making excuses? You’re the one introducing hyperbole to support you’re statement.
“There are bad/incompetent actors everywhere, “
In the case of China its not incompetence, its a complete lack of the quality and ethics systems. Thats a nationwide problem.
In this case you have one factory. If you can’t see the difference between a country without any quality systems in place and a single poorly run company than I’m wasting my time.
I read one story that talked about rodents running loose, mold, and a leaking roof. Then there was the shipment refused at the border due to rotting foreign material in the product.
I would not be surprised...I had a contractor in Georgia getting my house ready to sell. She (woman unusual) hired illegals I’m sure. I told her-do not leave them unsupervised in my house. She was good about this...one day she brought one of them over...he had one of those really bad gang tattoos, I told her out he goes...now.
I used to be in QC for a company that extruded food bars. You are suppose to shut down the line, disassemble the equipment and clean all the dies and anything that touches the product every night. Then the lab tech is suppose to take swabs to make sure you didn't miss something.
Yes, this means that you have to hire qualified people to do the work (and they ain't cheap) and you have equipment idle for couple of hours at least but this is FOOD. You don't take shortcuts.
And this is a prime example as to why you do not. People died.
Who are the directors and stockholders of this outfit?
Surely, there is a bank holding the bag for an outstanding loan on the inventory and accounts receivable. There will be collateral damage...pardon the pun.
“I have no idea how they managed not to get reported to the FDA or why the FDA did not investigate sooner.”
The inspection report said everything was fine. I’m guessing the plant was inspected without the inspector ever setting foot on site.
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