Peanut Co's Stewart Parnell Pleads the Fifth in Salmonella Query

by Terri Potratz | February 11, 2009 at 02:44 pm

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The owner of the Peanut Corporation of America, which is currently at the centre of a federal investigation after a massive salmonella outbreak was called before Congress today but pleaded the Fifth Amendment and refused to answer questions that might implicate him.

Internal company emails show that Stewart Parnell, owner of PCA, ordered peanut products that had tested positive for salmonella bacteria to be shipped out anyway. The effects of the tainted products have been widespread; 600 people have been sickened, 8 have died, and over 1,800 products have been recalled.

Summoned by congressional subpoena, the owner of Peanut Corp. of America repeatedly invoked his right not to incriminate himself at the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing on the salmonella outbreak that has sickened some 600 people, may be linked to nine deaths - the latest reported in Ohio on Wednesday - and resulted in one of the largest product recalls of more than 1,900 items.

Parnell sat stiffly, his hands folded in his lap at the witness table, as Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., held up a clear jar of his company's products wrapped in crime-scene tape and asked if he would eat them.

"Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, on advice of my counsel, I respectfully decline to answer your questions based on the protections afforded me under the U.S. Constitution," Parnell responded.

While Parnell refused to testify before Congress, there were other figures present who had insight into the dire situation, including laboratory workers who assert that PCA products did indeed test positive for salmonella before they were shipped out to food manufacturers. Salmonella is thought to have been a problem at the Georgia facility since at least 2006.

Plant manager Sammy Lightsey also pleaded the Fifth when summoned before Congress. Parnell had repeatedly cited increased costs as a reason for ignoring the salmonella problem at the plant.

The initial FDA inspection report found that the Georgia PCA plant also contained cockroaches and mold. A second PCA facility in Texas was closed this week:

Peanut Corp.'s troubles mounted this week as the FBI raided corporate headquarters in Lynchburg, Va., as well as the Georgia plant. On Monday night, the company closed a second facility, in Plainview, Texas, after test results earlier in the day indicated salmonella was present in samples taken at the Texas plant. None of the products had been distributed to consumers, but the finding raised the prospect of a broader recall.

Not only is the company being investigated, but the FDA's food review practices are also under question. Many wonder how it is possible that a plant with numerous infractions was able to ship out products and avoid continuous inspection by safety officials.

See the NowPublic list of recalled peanut products here.

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