Mice, Leaky Roof and Gaping Holes found in Plant Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

Wow. We all knew there were problems in the Georgia plant that was linked to the salmonella problem but this is worse than what I thought was happening. These people are responsible for producing the food we eat. As you probably know there were a number of people who died as a result of the salmonella linked to these outrageous conditions.

 

The attached article starts to give you a glimpse into what was going on. I'm sure that as the litigation proceeds we will learn more and more about the happenings in these plants. So what was going on?

 

First, one of the plants was infested with vermin and had a leaky roof. The roof wasn't just leaking there were gaping holes allowing the water to pour into the plant. According to the attorneys who toured the facilities the gaps were from grates that appeared to have rusted out. Second, they found over 150 rat traps littered throughout the plant. There were skylights that were leaking and the only thing done was to cover the holes with a tarp. The gaps in the roof could allow birds and vermin that carry salmonella into the building. Water from the leaks mixing with the peanuts created a good environment for salmonella to grow.

 

Many of these plants were shut down after the outbreak. In one plant the officials found dead rodents, rodent excrement and bird feathers in the crawl space near the production area. The companies were fined and there are a number of lawsuits pending. We all hope that companies act responsibly when dealing with our health. Unfortunately that doesn't always happen and in those situations we need the civil justice system to take over and compensate the victims as well as penalize the wrongdoers.

 

For more information on what is being reported go to http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-salmonella-tour,0,4208681.story.

 

Art Kosieradzki