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Worker Told Bosses: We Need to Clean This Place

'I did see roaches and rodents,' employee says

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 6, 2009 12:32 PM CST

(Newser) – At least one employee alerted management to the sanitation problems at a Georgia peanut plant linked to the deadly salmonella outbreak, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. “I used to tell them all of the time, ‘We need to shut down and really clean this place,’” said Anne Bristow, a sanitation worker at Peanut Corp of America. “I did see roaches and rodents.”

The company's own tests found salmonella a dozen times in the last 2 years, but it wasn't required to notify the feds. That's a "gaping loophole," Sen. Tom Harkin complained yesterday. Georgia's Saxby Chambliss, meanwhile, criticized the CDC for taking too long to identify the problem and notify states. “Y’all have got to figure out some way to speed up this process,” he said.

[Images (2)]

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In this Jan. 29, 2009 file photo, an Early County, Ga. Sheriff's car sits parked in front of the the Peanut Corporation of America processing plant in Blakely, Ga. (AP Photo/Ric Feld)

An Early County (Ga.) Sheriff's Deputy leaves the the Peanut Corporation of America processing plant in Blakely, Ga., Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Ric Feld)

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I used to tell them all of the time, ‘We need to shut down and really clean this place.’ I did see roaches and rodents, but was it bad enough that I’d pick up my coat and leave? No.
- Anne Bristow, Peanut Corp. of America

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 10 comments

AnnieOkie58

Feb 7, 2009 6:36 AM CST

mak...maybe you should take a computer break..if these posts bother you so much.....or just dont read them...eh!

mak

Feb 6, 2009 7:22 PM CST

No, I need people to stick to the topic. Perhaps I shouldn't read the posts, as they are never in any way referring to the actual articles. I don't care about what President did what when, I just want to know what's the story with peanut butter. Sorry for trying to stay on task, AnnieOkie.

mak

Feb 6, 2009 3:54 AM CST

PEOPLE! I swear, it would be refreshing if everyone could just comment on the actual article, and not use this as a soundingboard for political views. How did an article on a goddamn peanut plant turn into a back and forth on ex-Presidents? Maybe you should all take a step away from your computers and get outside or something, unless, of course, you are being subjugated by the current government/past government/right wing/liberals/white supremists/black panthers. Dumbasses, grow up!

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Worker Told Bosses: We Need to Clean This Place