Four Indicted in US Over Peanut Salmonella Outbreak

The owners and two employees of what was once one of the country's largest peanut processors have been indicted over the 2008-2009 salmonella outbreak that killed nine in the US.

The Department of Justice charged Stewart and Michael Parnell, who controlled the now-bankrupt Peanut Corporation of America, and two former PCA employees with knowingly distributing salmonella-tainted peanut products and obstructing the official investigation of the outbreak.

Diet for Kidney Stones
Diet for kidney stone should comprise of calcium-rich foods, increased fluid intake. Other dietary recommendations depends on the type of kidney stone.

The department said the Parnells and former Georgia PCA plant manager Samuel Lightsey for years had hidden from buyers the fact that their peanut products, used in many popular consumer foods, carried the bacteria salmonella, which can cause severe cramps and diarrhea and in extreme cases lead to death.

It said they fabricated the results of food-safety inspections and analysis to demonstrate to buyers their products were safe, when inspections had shown the presence of salmonella and also when no inspection had been done.

Even after the outbreak of salmonella was traced to peanuts, the department said, the company tried to hide the presence of the bacteria in its products.

Diet Guidelines for Healthy Snacking
Due to busy lifestyles, food holds the least amount of importance for many of us. Healthy snacking is not as simple as it sounds. It involves thorough understanding of what, when and how to eat.

The 76-count indictment released Thursday included charges of violation of US food safety laws, obstruction of justice, and mail and wire fraud. A fourth PCA employee, Mary Wilkerson, was charged with obstruction.

The department said the company's plants had a history of chronic unsanitary conditions that led to the frequent presence of salmonella.

Diet Pills: Dieting made easy, true or no?
Diet pills are flooding the market by millions. The positive side of diet pills to most people is that they achieve their objective of losing weight. Medical reviews are against the use of diet pills.

"When food or drug manufacturers lie and cut corners, they put all of us at risk," said the US principal deputy assistant attorney general, Stuart Delery.

"The Department of Justice will not hesitate to pursue any person whose criminal conduct risks the safety of Americans who have done nothing more than eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich."

Diet, Lifestyle and Heart Disease
The correlation between diet, lifestyle and heart disease. The importance of balanced diet life style and exercise for controlling heart disease.

PCA filed for bankruptcy within months of the outbreak after being forced to shut its plants.

Meanwhile on Thursday the Food and Drug Administration recalled pet treats manufactured by Kasel Associates Industries for potential salmonella contamination.

The FDA said its inspections had found more than 10 different salmonella species in the company's products and facilities.

"While there are no reports of human illness, FDA has received a small number of complaints of illness in dogs who were exposed to the treats."

Source-AFP