Stewart Parnell Case

Words: 460
Pages: 2
Open Document
Former owner of a Georgia Peanut company, Stewart Parnell, was sentenced on Monday to 28 years in prison for his role in a salmonella outbreak. The 2008-2009 salmonella outbreak caused by Parnell’s contaminated peanuts products had killed nine people and sickened more than 700 in 46 states.The Department of Justice found that Parnell had committed to defraud consumers by knowingly shipping salmonella-tainted peanut products across the country. Parnell had approved shipments that were “partially covered with dust and rat feces”. As well as falsifying lab test in order for products to appear safe. Not wanting to lose customers while pending for lab test Parnell had ordered for the products to just be shipped. Knowing full well what he was doing and the risk it imposed. Mold, cockroaches, and dirty equipment were found at the company's processing facilities. The food and drug administration had the company recall every product it had produced since 2007.

CDC estimates that the reported cases in this case about 700 affected and 9 killed were of a small fraction that thousands others were most likely harmed. No one was convicted for the deaths. The judge, Louis Sands, reviewed the case stating that “These acts were driven simply by the desire to profit. This is commonly and accurately referred to as greed.” Parnell was sentenced to 28 years …show more content…
The sentencing of Stewart Parnell sends a strong message to other food production companies that those who violate the safety of their consumers will face serious consequences. Parnell having had the longest sentencing in a food poisoning case has been a victory for all consumers that have been affected by more than just the George Peanut company. It just so happens that this particular case had clear evidence of fraud and conspiracy. Whereas other company cases have unfortunately had little to no evidence to build a case
Show More

Related Documents: Stewart Parnell Case

Peanut Corporation Of America Essay

Corporation of America shipped their peanut butter products, regardless of being tested positive for salmonella. Company owner Stewart Parnell, his brother Michael Parnell, Georgia plant manager Samuel Lightsey and Georgia plant quality assurance manager Mary Wilkerson were involved in the peanut butter salmonella outbreak. The outbreak was linked to more than seven hundred cases of salmonella poisoning in forty-six states, nine of which died, due to the outbreak. Less than twenty-fours after the recall…

Words 513 - Pages 3

Salmonella Outbreak Paper

salmonella was founded in the plant, the corporation failed to stop the distribution of peanut products. Unethical Behavior The driving force behind PCA’s alleged negligence and unethical behavior was former company owner, president and CEO Stewart Parnell, the man who in company emails allegedly ordered the shipment of contaminated products, or ordered re-tests when initial tests showed contamination. Many corporate crimes involve some type of financial gain although; PCA did whatever it took to…

Words 810 - Pages 4

Criminal Law and Conviction Paper Jean

their illegal activity. As an alternative of facing pressures such as financial penalties, company executives now find themselves facing imprisonment. Food Safety Enforcement through Criminal Prosecution Three former executives Stewart Parnell, former owner, and Michael Parnell, former food broker and Mary Wilkerson the former quality control manager from the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), were found guilty for knowingly shipping contaminated products. “This trial involved allegations that the…

Words 447 - Pages 2

Chipotle Mexican Grill Trial

closing down. The FDA reportedly is breaking down on food safety outbreaks including the outbreak of salmonella in peanut butter from Peanut Corp. of America and owner Stewart Parnell was convicted and prosecuted for 28 years in prison for knowingly shipping the peanut butter and was blamed for 9 deaths. Although these are serious cases and Chipotle reportedly lost nearly 30% of sales, restaurants have a tendency to historically bounce back from food safety problems like Taco bell and Jack in the box…

Words 379 - Pages 2