Officials say the Peanut Corp. of America plant had repeatedly shipped products that the company's own initial tests found to be positive for salmonella. And they say the company also failed to take standard steps to prevent contamination within the plant.
The latest findings also renewed concerns about federal inspections of food facilities. The Food and Drug Administration relied on Georgia authorities to inspect the plant in Blakely. But state inspectors did not uncover the problem.
Meanwhile, the recalls list has grown to more 390 products, from ice cream to dog biscuits. More than 500 people have gotten sick, and the outbreak may have contributed to eight deaths.
A senior FDA investigator said the company's own internal testing detected salmonella on at least 12 occasions in 2007 and 2008. But the firm shipped the questionable products after retesting them.
LAWSUIT
The relatives of a 72-year-old woman whose death may be linked to the widespread peanut butter salmonella outbreak have sued the operators of a Georgia peanut butter plant and an Ohio distributor saying their negligence caused her death.
Relatives of Shirley Mae Almer filed the wrongful death lawsuit Monday.
The complaint says her death was a direct result of eating peanut putter infected by the same genetic strain of salmonella linked to the nationwide outbreak.
Almer, who had been staying in a nursing home in Brainerd, Minn., near her home in central Minnesota, died Dec. 21.
Almer's family alleges Peanut Corp. of America and distributor King Nut failed to train and supervise employees properly and failed to make, store and transport their products in a safe manner.
Neither company immediately returned calls seeking comment Tuesday.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2009/1/217245