In Minneapolis yesterday, a federal judge dismissed a challenge brought by the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Pork Producers Council against the EPA. Those groups wanted to block the EPA's ability to release public information about polluting factory farms to citizens and groups concerned about clean water. Food & Water Watch, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, and the Environmental Integrity Project, represented by lawyers at the Government Accountability Project, intervened on behalf of citizens. EPA released documents in 2013 about the location, size, and ownership of thousands of industrial factory farms that are a significant source of pollution to streams, rivers, and bays across the country. These farms are largely unregulated and hidden from people … [Read more...]
Parnell Brothers Taken into Custody
On Friday, September 19, 2014, brothers Stewart and Michael Parnell were taken to the Crisp County Jail in Cordele, Georgia. After conviction last week on multiple counts of mail fraud and other felonies in relation to the 2008 Salmonella outbreak linked to PCA peanut butter, they did not post secured bail. Mary Wilkerson, who was convicted on one count of obstruction of justice, was not jailed. Attorney Fred Pritzker, who represented clients in a lawsuit against PCA, said about Stewart Parnell, "If anybody deserved it, he did. I am not at all surprised he was found guilty given the evidence against him. I don't view Parnell's conduct as any different than poisoning people or drunk driving. My strong suspicion is that this happens much more often than is known." Stewart Parnell was … [Read more...]
Peanut Corporation of America Executives Convicted
A federal jury has convicted Stewart Parnell, Michael Parnell, and Mary Wilkerson in connection with a Salmonella outbreak linked to their company's peanut butter. That outbreak sickened at least 700 people in 46 states and killed nine. The jury was not allowed to consider the deaths from the contaminated product in their deliberations. Stewart Parnell was found guilty on 76 felony counts of mail fraud, introduction of adulterated food into commerce, wire fraud, and conspiracy; Michael Parnell was found guilty on 30 counts of wire fraud, mail fraud, and intro ducting misbranded products into interstate commerce; and Wilkerson was found guilty on one count of obstruction of justice. The Parnell brothers could go to prison for their set of their lives. Wilkerson could face up to 10 years … [Read more...]
Rancho Feeding Corporation Co-Owner Pleads Guilty
Robert Singleton, co-owner of Rancho Feeding Corporation, has pled guilty to charges of selling cows with eye cancer and is going to cooperate with the prosecution in the case against three other defendants. Rancho Feeding Corporation was shut down in February 2014 after a huge beef recall. Singleton admitted buying cows that were exhibiting disease, which makes them unfit for human consumption. Employees at the facility were allegedly told to cut off the heads of the sick cows and replace them with healthy cows to pass inspection. Employees are also accused of cutting federal inspector's "condemned" stamps on the carcasses so they could process the beef for shipping. Almost 9 million pounds of beef was recalled last winter, causing financial harm to many businesses. According to the … [Read more...]
Peanut Corporation of America Trial Begins
The trial of executives of the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) began last Friday in Albany, Georgia. Stewart Parnell, Michael Parnell, and Mary Wilkerson are on trial for 76 felony counts that include allegations of fraud and conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and causing unbranded and adulterated peanut butter and paste to be placed in interstate commerce. No one is being charged with directly causing death in the huge Salmonella outbreak six years ago. The peanut products produced by PCA were contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. In late 2008 and early 2009, at least 714 people were sickened by PCA products across the country. Nine people died in this outbreak. The son of one of those people who died, Nellie Napier, was a Pritzker Hageman client. Randy Napier became an advocate … [Read more...]
Court Rules FDA Doesn’t Need to Hold Hearings on Antibiotic Use
In a serious blow to those concerned about antibiotic use in farm animals, the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York ruled on Thursday, July 24, 2014 that the FDA does not have to hold hearings on the safety of feeding antibiotics to farm animals at sub therapeutic levels. Two years ago, two courts ruled that the FDA is required to hold those hearings to force the industry to prove that this particular use of antibiotics is safe. The appeal would have forced the FDA to end the use of penicillin and tetracyclines, two classes of antibiotics that are critical to human health, in animal feed. There is overwhelming scientific evidence linking this misuse of drugs in food animals to rising antibiotic resistance in many pathogenic bacteria. At least 20,000 people in the United … [Read more...]
Sysco Pays $19.4 Million For Dangerous Food Storage Practices
Sysco Corporation, the world's largest food distributor, has agreed to pay the State of California $19.4 million because the corporation stored meat, produce, and dairy in unrefrigerated and filthy outdoor storage units. Those products included raw meat, milk, and seafood. NBC San Francisco aired an investigative report last year about the illegal storage. The food that was stored in an unsafe manner was delivered to restaurants, hospitals, and schools. After the report aired, the California Department of Public Health investigated the company's illegal practice. CDPH combed through Sysco's records and found that more than 400,000 food products were stored at those sites from July 2009 to August 2013. Temperatures in the area were at least 80°F during that period. Perishable foods … [Read more...]
Wisconsin Appeals Court Upholds Hershberger’s Guilty Verdict
The Wisconsin Court of Appeals upheld Vernon D. Hershberger's guilty verdict for violating a Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection holding border. That order prohibited the dairy farmer from selling dairy and meat from his farm without permission in the 14 days it was in force. In 2012, Hershberger was charged with four misdemeanors of violating Wisconsin's law that prohibits the sale of raw milk products. Hershberger did not have a license to produce or sell dairy products; instead, he "leased" his cows to a food club and claimed that exempted him from the law. The holding order was issued when Hershberger was released on bail. It stated that he agreed not to manufacture dairy products and no sell or distribute mail produced on his farm without a … [Read more...]
PCA Plant Manager Pleads Guilty in Salmonella Case
Samuel Lightsey, the former manager of a peanut butter plant linked to a Salmonella outbreak pleaded guilty to fraud and six other counts in a criminal case. In 2009, 714 people in 46 states got Salmonella poisoning from peanut butter made Peanut Corporation of America. Nine of them died. The company's owner, Stewart Parnell, and his brother Michael Parnell, a food broker, and the plant's quality assurance manager Mary Wilkerson were also charged. Lightsey faces a possible fine of $250,000 and 20-year prison terms for each of the seven charges. The sentencing will occur at a later date. Food Poisoning Bulletin Publisher Fred Pritzker, a food safety lawyer who represents people injured in the outbreak, said his clients feel the trial is a way for wrongdoers to be held accountable. … [Read more...]
New York City Fish Closed for Listeria Problems
Federal Judge Roslynn Mauskopf granted the U.S. government's request for a permanent injunction against New York City Fish on Monday, March 30, 2014. Inspectors found that the fish had been processed and packed under "unsanitary conditions where it may be contaminated by filth". The motion for preliminary injunction had been filed on May 17, 2013. Inspectors looked at the facility six times between 2006 and 2012 and found Listeria monocytogenes bacteria in the environment and in the finished product. In addition, there was no evidence that many of the company's employees had been trained to ensure compliance with the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Employees were observed spraying antimicrobial solution in the brining solution and spraying it directly on in-process seafood products during … [Read more...]
