Former Plant Manager Testifies Salmonella-Ridden Peanut Plant at Center of Salmonella Outbreak Also Had Mold, Mildew

The peanut plant at the center of a salmonella outbreak, which is going to trial for sickening at least 700 customers and killing 9 people, reportedly had a mold and mildew problem, and failed to properly clean its equipment.

Former plant manager Samuel Lightsey testified on Friday, August 8th, about the dirty plant conditions in the beginning of the trial against his former employer, Peanut Corp. of America, and owner Stewart Parnell.

The Peanut Corporation of America, based in Blakely, GA, had salmonella contamination problems that led to one of the largest food recalls in US history. The indictment alleges that not only did the company negligently allow the salmonella contamination to continue, they actively avoided cleaning their facilities.

The FDA began investigating the company in 2009, and the CDC traced the source of the salmonella contamination back to the Blakely plant. The FDA’s investigation uncovered severely unsanitary conditions, including a lack of controls to keep rodents and insects out of the facility. The plant roasted raw peanuts, and also made peanut butter and peanut paste.

Lightsey was also charged in the salmonella case and pleaded guilty to seven criminal counts in May of this year.

“In my mind, I wasn’t intentionally hurting anyone,” Lightsey told jurors.

He also testified that, soon after taking the job, Lightsey discovered that peanut paste manufactured in the plant was shipped out same-day to Kellogg’s for use in peanut butter crackers and other food products, instead of waiting the required 48 hours for contaminant testing. In some instances, the owners used lab results from product that had shipped the week before, certifying the wrong product as negative for salmonella and other food-borne pathogens.

“I went to the office and called Mike Parnell and I told him we can’t do this; it was illegal and it was wrong,” Lightsey said. “He informed me it was set up before I got there and don’t worry about Kellogg’s, he can handle Kellogg’s.”

The salmonella outbreak sickened 714 people across 46 states, and nine people – three in Minnesota, two in Ohio, two in Virginia, and one in Idaho – died due to the salmonella infection.

Two FDA investigators also testified that Lightsey told them numerous false stories, first saying that the plant only had one positive test for salmonella, but it was a false positive. However, he changed his story five days later, admitting that the plant had tested positive for salmonella three times. The FDA discovered later that the plant had 12 positive salmonella tests over the span of 2 years.

Food Poisoning, Food Recall, and Defective Product Lawyers at the Strom Law Firm

Many manufacturers do their best to produce high-quality food, medical, and recreational equipment. However, some companies do not pay close enough attention to the manufacturing process and release products on the market that cause great personal injury. While the FDA and USDA issue product and food recalls on a regular basis, they cannot prevent in food-borne outbreaks such as listeria, e. Coli, and salmonella. It is important to hold manufacturers to a higher standard, and a defective products lawyer can help when a food recall has not been issued in time. The Columbia, South Carolina-based attorneys at the Strom Law Firm are licensed to practice in South Carolina, Georgia, and New York, to help you with your personal injury or food poisoning claim. We offer free consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today for help. 803.252.4800.