... and Justice for All

Peanut Butter Maker Knowingly Shipped Tainted Product

The Georgia peanut butter maker identified as the source of the salmonella outbreak that has killed eight people and sickened over 500 knowingly shipped salmonella-tainted peanut butter 12 times in 2007 and 2008, the Washington Post reports, "Peanut Processor Knowingly Sold Tainted Products." The Post reports:

Officials at the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which have been investigating the outbreak of salmonella illness, said yesterday that Peanut Corporation of America found salmonella in internal tests a dozen times in 2007 and 2008 but sold the products anyway, sometimes after getting a negative finding from a different laboratory.

The company was not required to disclose its tainted products to federal or state officials.

In addition to killing eight people and harming more than 500, the salmonella outbreak has caused recall of more than 100 products. To review the list click here.

Robert L. Abell
www.RobertAbellLaw.com

Salmonella Outbreak Produces Lawsuit by Vermont Family

A Vermont family, whose 7 year old son was stricken by salmonella after eating peanut butter, has filed a lawsuit against the Peanut Corporation of America biz.yahoo reports, "Vermont Couple Sues Over Salmonella Outbreak." The lawsuit claims that the child was sickened after eating Keebler Cheese & Peanut Butter Crackers, which have been recalled by Kellogg's.  The salmonella outbreak, which has killed at least six people and sicked 470 spread over 43 states, was linked by the FDA to a peanut butter processing plant in Georgia operated by the Peanut Corporation of America. The FDA maintains a searchable database of products recalled due to the salmonella outbreak that can be accessed by clicking here.  

Robert L. Abell

www.RobertAbellLaw.com

Salmonella Outbreak Spurs Recalls By Kellogg's

Salmonella contamination at a Georgia peanut processing plant and a nationwide salmonella outbreak that has sickened hundreds and killed at least six has caused Kellogg's to recall 16 of its most popular products, the Washington Post reports, "Kellogg's Recalls More Peanut Butter Products." 

Included in the recall are the following popular products:

• Austin Quality Foods Cheese Crackers with Peanut Butter - all sizes  

• Austin Quality Foods Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers - all sizes 
• Austin Quality Foods Mega Stuffed Cheese Crackers with Peanut Butter - all sizes 
• Austin Quality Foods PB & J Cracker Sandwiches - all sizes 
• Austin Quality Foods Super Snack Pack Sandwich Crackers 
• Austin Quality Foods Chocolate Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers - all sizes 
• Austin Quality Foods Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter - all sizes 
• Austin Quality Foods Reduced Fat Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers 
• Austin Quality Foods Reduced Fat Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers  
• Austin Quality Foods Cookie/Cracker Pack  
• Austin Quality Foods Variety Pack 
• Keebler Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers - all sizes 
• Keebler Toast & PB'n J Flavored Sandwich Crackers - all sizes 
• Keebler Toast & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers - all sizes  
• Famous Amos Peanut Butter Cookies (2- and 3-ounce) 
• Keebler Soft Batch Homestyle Peanut Butter Cookies (2.5-ounce)   

Further information can be found here:

FDA:http://www.fda.gov/

Kellogg's:http://www.kelloggcompany.com  

Robert L. Abell

www.RobertAbellLaw.com

Salmonella Linked To Peanut Butter Hits Fayette County

The salmonella outbreak linked to peanut butter by Minnesota state health officials has hit Fayette County, according to kentucky.com, "Lexington Salmonella Case Part of Outbreak Linked To Peanut Butter." This was the third salmonella case in Kentucky linked to the peanut butter; people in 43 states have been infected. The peanut butter manufacturer, King Nut, voluntarily recalled the peanut butter. 

Robert L. Abell

www.RobertAbellLaw.com  

Kentucky Lacks Emergency Dam Collapse Plans

Kentucky is one of 10 states that does not require dam owners to have emergency plans in the event of a collapse, according to a report in the Lexington Herald-Leader, "More Scrutiny Likely For Ponds." Following the massive failure on December 22, 2008 of the TVA dam near Kingston, Tennessee, which sent loose over 1.1 million gallons of coal slurry destroying three homes, ruining forty-two properties and fouling water supplies, and the much smaller gypsum spill from a TVA pond near Stevenson, Alabama on Friday, Kentucky may be stirring to action, although not too much action. A legislator, Robin Webb D-Grayson, intends to sponsor a resolution but not a bill urging state regulators to require such emergency plans.  But even this small step is welcomed:

Judith Petersen, executive director of Kentucky Waterways Alliance, welcomed the news that state officials are looking into emergency action plans.

"We think it's a very good idea and a very appropriate step," she said. "At least you give the people downstream a better chance."

The alliance is concerned about the potential for an ash spill in Kentucky. It is preparing a request for records so it can look into the issue of safety at ash impoundments, including how they are monitored.

"We've got to stop kidding ourselves that these accidents will never happen."

Robert L. Abell
www.RobertAbellLaw.com