VA– 9

lornajarrettblanchard September 1, 2008

–9 Andrews. “2009 Peanut Butter Outbreak: Three Years On…” Food Safety News, 4-16-2012.

–9 CDC. Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella…Infections Linked to Peanut Butter, 2008-2009.

–1 Idaho

–3 Minnesota

–1 North Carolina

–2 Ohio

–2 Virginia.

–9 CNN. “Unprecedented verdict: Peanut executive guilty…salmonella outbreak.” 9-19-2014.

–9 Flynn. “Parnell brothers…in prison…peanut butter outbreak.” Food Safety News, 2-17-2016.

Narrative Information

CDC Outbreak Summary: “….As of 9 PM EDT, Monday, April 20, 2009, 714 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from 46 states. The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (2), Arizona (14), Arkansas (6), California (81), Colorado (18), Connecticut (11), Florida (1), Georgia (6), Hawaii (6), Idaho (17), Illinois (12), Indiana (11), Iowa (3), Kansas (2), Kentucky (3), Louisiana (1), Maine (5), Maryland (11), Massachusetts (49), Michigan (38), Minnesota (44), Missouri (15), Mississippi (7), Montana (2), Nebraska (1), New Hampshire (14), New Jersey (24), New York (34), Nevada (7), North Carolina (6), North Dakota (17), Ohio (102), Oklahoma (4), Oregon (15), Pennsylvania (19), Rhode Island (5), South Dakota (4), Tennessee (14), Texas (10), Utah (8), Vermont (4), Virginia (24), Washington (25), West Virginia (2), Wisconsin (5), and Wyoming (2). Additionally, one ill person was reported from Canada.

“Among the persons with confirmed, reported dates available, illnesses began between September 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009. Patients range in age from < 1 to 98 years. The median age of patients is 16 years which means that half of ill persons are younger than 16 years. 21% are age < 5 years, 17% are > 59 years. 48% of patients are female. Among persons with available information, 24% reported being hospitalized. Infection may have contributed to nine deaths: Idaho (1), Minnesota (3), North Carolina (1), Ohio (2), and Virginia (2).

“On November 10, 2008, CDC’s PulseNet staff noted a small and highly dispersed multistate cluster of 13 Salmonella Typhimurium isolates with an unusual DNA fingerprint or pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern reported from 12 states. On November 25, CDC’s OutbreakNet team, working with state and local partners, began an epidemiologic assessment of that cluster, which had increased to 35 isolates. On December 2, CDC and state and local partners began an assessment of a second cluster of 41 Salmonella Typhimurium isolates. The PFGE patterns of the second cluster were very similar to the patterns in the first cluster and were first noted by PulseNet on November 24, as a cluster of 27 isolates that had subsequently increased to 41 isolates. Neither of these patterns were seen previously in the PulseNet Salmonella Typhimurium database. The clusters also appeared similar epidemiologically, so the two patterns were grouped together as a single outbreak strain, and the investigations were merged….

“The numbers of new cases have declined substantially since the peak in December, but illnesses are still being reported among people who ate the recalled brands of peanut butter crackers after the recall. The outbreak is expected to continue at a low level for the next several months since consumers unaware that they have recalled products in their home continue to consume these products, many of which have a long shelf-life….

“Outbreak Investigation…

“Preliminary analysis of the first national case-control study conducted by CDC and public health officials in multiple states on January 3 and 4, 2009, comparing foods eaten by ill and well persons indicates that peanut butter is a likely source of the bacteria causing the infections.

“An investigation by the Minnesota Department of Health suggested King Nut brand creamy peanut butter as a likely source of Salmonella infections among many ill persons in Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture Laboratory isolated the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium from an open 5-pound container of King Nut brand creamy peanut butter. King Nut creamy peanut butter is distributed in many states to establishments such as long-term care facilities, hospitals, schools, universities, restaurants, delis, cafeterias, and bakeries. It is not sold directly to consumers and is not known to be distributed for retail sale in grocery stores.

“The Connecticut Department of Public Health Laboratory and the Georgia Department of Agriculture independently isolated Salmonella from unopened 5-pound containers of King Nut brand peanut butter. Officials in Connecticut have identified the Salmonella found in their container as the outbreak strain. Further tests are pending in Georgia to determine if the Salmonella in their container is also the outbreak strain.

“The Michigan Department of Community Health isolated Salmonella from an unopened 5-pound container of King Nut brand peanut butter. They have identified the Salmonella found in their container as the outbreak strain.

“To date, 19 clusters of infections in five states have been reported in schools and other institutions, such as long-term care facilities and hospitals. King Nut brand peanut butter was present in all facilities….

“King Nut is produced by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) in Blakely, Georgia. King Nut peanut butter was not sold directly to consumers but was distributed to institutions, food service providers, food manufacturers and distributors in many states and countries. Peanut butter and peanut paste is commonly used as an ingredient in many products, including cookies, crackers, cereal, candy, ice cream, pet treats, and other foods.

“Other Peanut-Containing Products

“To clarify whether other peanut-containing foods are associated with the outbreak, CDC along with state partners conducted a second national case-control study. Between January 17 and 19, 2009, telephone interviews were conducted with 95 persons who became ill with the outbreak strain and 405 well persons. Preliminary analysis of data received as of 9PM, Sunday, January 28, reveals an association between illness and consumption of pre-packaged peanut butter crackers, specifically with Austin and Keebler brands.

“Austin and Keebler brand peanut butter crackers are produced by the Kellogg Company in North Carolina, using peanut paste from the Peanut Corporation of America. On January 14, 2009, the Kellogg Company put a precautionary hold on these peanut butter crackers, and on January 16 recalled these products. Other peanut containing products produced by a variety of companies may have been made with the ingredients recalled by PCA. CDC and state health departments continue to investigate the association of other brands and foods that contain peanut butter with illness.

“Salmonella Typhimurium was isolated in Canada from Austin brand peanut butter crackers purchased in the United States. Officials in Canada have identified the Salmonella found in these peanut butter crackers as the outbreak strain. Salmonella resembling the outbreak strain was isolated by a private laboratory from three intact packages of Austin brand Toasty peanut butter crackers obtained from a patient’s home in Oregon….

“On January 28, 2009, PCA announced a voluntary recall of all peanuts and peanut products processed in its Blakely, Georgia facility since January 1, 2007. In addition to peanut butter and peanut paste, the expanded recall includes roasted peanuts and other peanut products and was based in part on laboratory testing information from the company. On January 28, 2009, the facility reported that production of all peanut products had stopped. More than 2833 peanut-containing products produced by a variety of companies may have been made with the ingredients recalled by PCA. FDA and the product manufacturers are working to determine the list of affected products, which may be extensive. Many companies have already announced whether their products include ingredients being recalled by Peanut Corporation of America, Georgia, and more companies are expected to make similar announcements….” (CDC. Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Linked to Peanut Butter, 2008-2009 (Final Update). 5-11-2009.)

Andrews: “….Executives at the company responsible for the outbreak, Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), have never been charged with any crimes, though many accuse them of knowingly shipping contaminated peanuts to processors. The company has gone through bankruptcy and lawsuits, but some still say the individuals who called the shots at PCA deserve their day in court.

“Food and Drug Administration officials first investigated PCA’s facilities in January 2009 and soon learned that employees had previously been ordered to ship peanuts with samples that tested positive for Salmonella after a second sample tested negative. (Contaminated batches may test negative if there is no Salmonella in the particular section getting sampled.)

“According to inspectors, at least 12 samples from the company’s production chain were contaminated between 2007 and 2008, but PCA did little to clean their facilities or remedy the problem. On some occasions, PCA shipped out peanuts before initial test results came back positive for Salmonella.

“The driving force behind PCA’s alleged negligence was former company owner, president and CEO Stewart Parnell, the man who in company emails allegedly ordered the shipment of contaminated products, or ordered re-tests when initial tests showed contamination.

“In January 2009, Parnell allegedly told his employees that the company’s products had never tested positive for Salmonella, despite the 12 positive tests over the 2 preceding years. And even after federal inspectors shut down his plants, Parnell asked the FDA to let him sell his remaining peanuts because he was losing money….” (Andrews, James. “2009 Peanut Butter Outbreak: Three Years On, Still No Resolution for Some.” Food Safety News, 4-16-2012.)

CNN: “A jury in Georgia convicted a former peanut company owner Friday of conspiracy, fraud and other federal charges in a groundbreaking case stemming from a deadly salmonella outbreak almost six years ago. The guilty verdict marks the first federal felony conviction for a company executive in a food safety case. Prosecutor Michael Moore said he hopes the trial will send a strong message to the food industry that its officials are now on notice that they’ll be held accountable for foodborne illnesses.

“The jury’s verdict came after a seven-week trial for Stewart Parnell and his brother and food broker, Michael Parnell, both charged with 76 federal counts linked to intentionally shipping out salmonella-laced peanut products. Michael Parnell was also found guilty on multiple counts. A third defendant, former plant quality control manager Mary Wilkerson, was convicted on one count of obstruction of justice. The Parnell brothers, Moore said, ‘could easily spend the rest of their lives in prison.’….

“Both men were taken into custody pending sentencing. Bond was set at $150,000 for Stewart Parnell and $100,000 for his brother, Moore said. A sentencing date has not been set….

“Food safety lawyers also applauded the jury’s decision….

“Federal prosecutors presented more than 1,000 documents and called 45 witnesses to the stand to make their case that Parnell, his brother and Wilkerson cut corners on safety in order to make a bigger profit for Peanut Corp. They were accused of covering up lab results that tested positive for salmonella in their peanut products. The prosecution’s blistering opening statement contained three now-infamous words Stewart Parnell penned in a March 2007 email to a plant manager about tainted products: ‘Just ship it.’….

“The trial opened August 1 in Albany, Georgia, less than an hour’s drive from the Peanut Corp. plant in the small town of Blakely, raided and shuttered in 2009 by federal food inspectors.

“The 2008-2009 salmonella outbreak killed nine people, sickened at least 714 others nationwide and resulted in a huge food recall that cast a pall over one of America’s favorite foods: peanut butter.

“Food safety advocates said the trial was groundbreaking because it’s so rare corporate executives are held accountable in court for bacteria in food. Never before had a jury heard a criminal case in which a corporate chief faced federal felony charges for knowingly shipping out food containing salmonella….

“The prosecution was unprecedented…because the Department of Justice charged the Parnell brothers with felonies. Prior cases involved misdemeanors….

“Former employees of Peanut Corp. described filthy conditions at the Georgia plant. Federal inspectors found roaches, rats, mold, dirt, accumulated grease and bird droppings during their raid. They also found a leaky roof.

“Salmonella is often associated with meat, poultry, eggs and raw milk — products from animals that are carriers of the bacteria. It also thrives in the intestines of birds and can be found in fruits and vegetables and in ingredients made from them. The presence of water in what is supposed to be a dry processing facility for peanuts is like adding gasoline to fire for salmonella, food safety experts say.

“Health officials discovered similar poor conditions at Peanut Corp.’s other processing plant in Plainview, Texas. The company filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy shortly after it was shut down.

“Two former plant managers worked out deals with the government in exchange for their testimonies against Parnell.” (CNN (Moni Basu). “Unprecedented verdict: Peanut executive guilty in deadly salmonella outbreak.” 9-19-2014.)

Flynn: “For the first time since they were sentenced last September, brothers Stewart and Michael Parnell are in federal prisons. The elder brother, Stewart Parnell, 61, is the former owner and chief executive officer of Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). The company’s Salmonella-contaminated peanut butter products killed at least nine and sickened thousands in 2008-09. Stewart Parnell is now the most infamous inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) at Estill, SC. His release date is Feb. 6, 2040….

“The former PCA chief executive was sentenced to 28 years for selling misbranded food, introducing adulterated food into interstate commerce, fraud, conspiracy and other charges related to knowingly allowing peanut butter contaminated with salmonella to enter the stream of commerce….

“Michael Parnell, 57, was a peanut broker working with his brother’s company. He was sentenced to 20 years for convictions similar to his brother’s. He’s been assigned to a federal prison at Milan, MI, just outside of Detroit….

“The third defendant convicted in a 2014 jury trial was Mary Wilkerson. She is serving five-year prison term at the co-ed Marianna FCI in Florida. She was convicted of obstruction of justice. Her release date is March 10, 2020.

“The two PCA managers who agreed to plead guilty and testify at trial, Daniel Kilgore and Samuel Lightsey, are serving six- and thee-year prison terms, respectively, have not yet been returned to Bureau of Prisons custody. Both recently attended a restitution hearing in the federal court in Albany, GA….” (Flynn, Dan. “Parnell brothers finally in prison for deadly peanut butter outbreak.” Food Safety News, 2-17-2016.)

Newspapers

Jan 10: “Atlanta — (AP) — Federal officials have not yet identified the cause of a salmonella outbreak striking almost 400 people in Ohio and 41 other states, but officials in Minnesota said Friday they believe peanut butter may be involved. On Friday [Jan 9] the Minnesota Department of Health said preliminary laboratory testing found salmonella bacteria in a 5-pound container of King Nut brand creamy peanut butter….

“The product apparently is not sold in grocery stores, but is distributed in Minnesota to long-term care facilities, hospitals, schools, universities, restaurants, delis, cafeterias and bakeries. State officials urged establishments that have the product to avoid serving it, pending further instructions as the investigation progresses.

“The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that 399 cases have been confirmed nationally, with about one in five of the victims hospitalized. California has reported the most cases, with 55, followed by Ohio with 53. They have not confirmed any deaths associated with the outbreak.

“Minnesota health officials also said an elderly woman who died there had the illness at the time of her death, but it’s not clear that salmonella was the cause…..

“Nationally, all the current illnesses began between Sept. 3 and Dec. 29, but most of the people grew sick after Oct. 1. Most people develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually last four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment….

“CDC officials say the cases in the current outbreak have all been genetically fingerprinted as the Typhimurium type, which is among the most common forms of salmonella food poisoning.” (AP/Stobbe. “Salmonella strikes 42 states — 400 people in Ohio.” Star Beacon, Ashtabula OH, 1-10-2009, A3.)

Jan 12: “Columbus, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio distributor says it has recalled two brands of its peanut butter after an open container tested positive for salmonella bacteria. Federal health officials said the company’s peanut butter had not been conclusively linked to a national salmonella outbreak.

“King Nut Companies said in a statement that it asked customers to stop distributing all peanut butter under its King Nut and Parnell’s Pride brands with a lot code that begins with the numeral ‘8.’ The peanut butter was distributed only through food service providers in Ohio, Michigan, North Dakota, Minnesota, Arizona, Idaho, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Florida….

“King Nut’s president, Martin Kanan, said Sunday [Jan 11] that the recall involved approximately 1,000 cases of peanut butter….

“King Nut, based in Solon, Ohio, said it canceled all orders with the manufacturer of its two peanut butter brands, Peanut Corporation of America, based in Lynchburg, Va….The Lynchburg company said the tainted container was found in the kitchen of a nursing facility, leaving it open to the possibility of cross-contamination from another source….Peanut Corporation’s owner and president, Stewart Parnell, declined to comment further on Sunday until the FDA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention complete their investigation….” (AP. “Salmonella outbreak prompts peanut butter recall.” The Titusville Herald, PA, 1-12-2009, p. 12.)

Jan 13: “Minneapolis (AP) — The salmonella bacteria that has sickened more than 400 people in 43 states has been conclusively linked to peanut butter, Minnesota health officials announced Monday [Jan 12]. Federal officials said the outbreak may have contributed to three deaths….” (AP. “CDC: Tainted peanut butter, 3 deaths may be linked.” Times-Tribune, Corbin, KY. 1-13-2009, p. 2.)

Sources

Andrews, James. “2009 Peanut Butter Outbreak: Three Years On, Still No Resolution for Some.” Food Safety News, 4-16-2012. Accessed 11-10-2017 at: http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2012/04/2009-peanut-butter-outbreak-three-years-on-still-no-resolution-for-some/#.WgYjU4hrynI

Associated Press. “CDC: Tainted peanut butter, 3 deaths may be linked.” Times-Tribune, Corbin, KY. 1-13-2009, p. 2. Accessed 11-10-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/corbin-times-tribune-jan-13-2009-p-2/

Associated Press. “Salmonella outbreak prompts peanut butter recall.” The Titusville Herald, PA, 1-12-2009, p. 12. Accessed 11-10-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/titusville-herald-jan-12-2009-p-12/

Associated Press (Mike Stobbe). “Salmonella strikes 42 states — 400 people in Ohio.” Star Beacon, Ashtabula OH, 1-10-2009, A3. Accessed 11-10-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ashtabula-star-beacon-jan-10-2009-p-6/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Linked to Peanut Butter, 2008-2009 (Final Update). 5-11-2009. Accessed 11-10-2017 at: https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/2009/peanut-butter-2008-2009.html

CNN (Moni Basu). “Unprecedented verdict: Peanut executive guilty in deadly salmonella outbreak.” 9-19-2014. Accessed 11-10-2017 at: http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/19/us/peanut-butter-salmonella-trial/index.html

Flynn, Dan. “Parnell brothers finally in prison for deadly peanut butter outbreak.” Food Safety News, 2-17-2016. Accessed 11-10-2017 at: http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2016/02/123674/#.WgYr_IhrynI