Former peanut exec gets 28 years for outbreak

A former peanut company executive was sentenced to 28 years in prison for his role in a deadly salmonella outbreak, the stiffest punishment ever handed out to a producer in a foodborne illness case. The former Peanut Corporation of America owner, Stewart Parnell, 61, was convicted of of knowingly shipping contaminated peanut butter and of faking results of lab tests intended to screen for salmonella.

These acts were driven simply by the desire to profit and to protect profits notwithstanding the known risks. This is commonly and accurately referred to as greed.

Judge

Federal investigators found a leaky roof, roaches and evidence of rodents at the plant, all ingredients for brewing salmonella. They also uncovered emails and records showing food confirmed by lab tests to contain salmonella was shipped to customers anyway. The  2008 and 2009 outbreak killed nine Americans and sickened hundreds more, and triggered one of the largest food recalls in U.S. history.  Parnell’s brother, Michael, a food broker who worked with the corporation was also sentenced and received 20 years for his role in the outbreak.

I am personally embarrassed, humiliated and morally disgraced by what happened.

Stewart Parnell

Americas Peanut Executive