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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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6

Peanut Plant Slapped With Record $14.6M Fine

Multiple safety violations found at plant linked to salmonella outbreak

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(Newser) – A Texas peanut plant owned by the company blamed for a nationwide salmonella outbreak has been ordered to shell out $14.6 million for safety violations, AP reports. State officials levied the fine—the largest ever in Texas—for violations including unsanitary conditions, product contamination and operating without a license for four years.

Inspections at the plant turned up dead rodents in and near ventilation units, rodent dropping smeared on the walls, and a bird's nest inside the plant. The facility ceased production in mid-February and its owner, the Peanut Corporation of America, has filed for bankruptcy. Products from the Texas plant and one in Georgia are blamed for sickening 691 people, including 10 who died.

The Peanut Corporation of America, owner of the Plainview plant, has filed for bankruptcy
The Peanut Corporation of America, owner of the Plainview plant, has filed for bankruptcy   (AP Photo/Ric Feld)
House Oversight and Investigations subcommittee member Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., holds a photo of dead rodents at a Peanut Corporation of America plant during a hearing on the salmonella outbreak.
House Oversight and Investigations subcommittee member Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., holds a photo of dead rodents at a Peanut Corporation of America plant during a hearing on the salmonella outbreak.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
An Early County, Ga., sheriff's car sits parked in front of the Peanut Corporation of America processing plant in Blakely, Ga. A plant owned by the same firm has been fined $14.6 million.
An Early County, Ga., sheriff's car sits parked in front of the Peanut Corporation of America processing plant in Blakely, Ga. A plant owned by the same firm has been fined $14.6 million.   (AP Photo/Ric Feld, File)
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6 comments
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riffran
Apr 10, 09 4:47 AM CDT
that money should be higher, and go to the families of those that died and sickened Reply
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radnip
Apr 10, 09 5:07 AM CDT
Is Republican Texas trying to be anti-capitalist and pro-regulation? Sacrilege! Reply
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jenna
Apr 10, 09 6:21 AM CDT
FINALLY, HIT THEM WHERE IT HURTS. THEY CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE CONSCIECES. Reply
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SPH
Apr 10, 09 10:19 AM CDT
Theses people deserve prison time...... Reply
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wwwonderer
Apr 10, 09 11:40 AM CDT
Gee. It seems Texas is becoming more and more resourceful to our nation everyday. Reply
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