Texas Peanut Plant Linked to Salmonella Outbreak Fined $14.6 Million

A Texas peanut-processing plant blamed for shipping contaminated peanuts blamed for spreading salmonella bacteria around the nation earlier this year must pay a fine of $14.6 million, state officials said today.

The Plainview Peanut Co. facility, formerly owned and operated by the Virginia-based Peanut Corporation of America, previously was cited for unsanitary conditions, including bird droppings and rodent infestation, which resulted in tainted peanuts and peanut butter being produced there, state officials said. The plant also is accused of operating without a required state food processor’s license.

The Plainview plant has been closes since February 2009 and Peanut Corp. has since filed for bankruptcy. Peanuts tainted with salmonella bacteria contributed to at least nine deaths, caused nearly 700 food poisonings, and resulted in one of the largest food recalls in U.S. history, with more than 3,200 peanut products pulled from store shelves.

Salmonella is a form of food poisoning that can cause deadly infections in the elderly, children, and people who are sick or have weakened immune systems.

Texas health agency officials levied the fine against the facility today.

Officials have said Peanut Corp. may face criminal or civil penalties for knowingly shipping peanuts contaminated with salmonella to food makers across the United States.

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