Salmonella Outbreaks Continues To Spread

Seattlle – There is a new update on the peanut recall. The salmonella outbreak has infected yet another business. New Seasons Market, an upscale store in Portland, Oregon issued it’s first ever recall in the store’s history. After hearing of the update on the peanut recall, employees washed and disinfected blades used to crush peanuts and removed tainted products from its shelves. Although these products were removed, there was no peanut recall issued for New Seasons Market’s customers. Lisa Sedlar, the president of New Seasons said recalls were usually given by the manufacturer, as her explanation.

Although New Seasons knew of the recall on February 2nd, the company did nothing about the peanut recall until prompted by the FDA on February 12th. So far, there have been no reported illness or deaths connected to products sold at New Seasons Market.

Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), located in Georgia, is the company responsible for the death of several and for the peanut recall. After PCA discovered salmonella on the peanut processing line, they did nothing, and continued manufacturing their product.

Even before the salmonella outbreak and the peanut recall, PCA had other health code issues as well. The roof leaked, giving a place for salmonella to thrive. The peanut roaster was not set to kill germs. Rodents lived in the plant, and employees wore their uniforms home, takiing a chance that when they returned to work, carrying contaminants on their clothing and back inside the plant.

Since 2007, Peanut Corporation of America’s own experts tested their product and found salmonella 12 times. PCA would repeatedly run tests until the tests returned negative, and then they would ship their product to unsuspecting customers.

PCA has since filed bankruptcy. Roy Creasy was chosen by the U.S. Trustee, the department responsible for watching over the liquidation of companies.

As of this writing, there have been nine deaths associated with the Peanut Corporation of America’s gross negligence.