Salmonella spreads to Texas peanut plant

A second Peanut Corporation of America plant, in Plainview, Texas, has been shut down at the request of the Texas Department of State Health Services. Samples taken on Feb. 4 of roasted peanuts, peanut meal and granulated peanuts.

Note that first item especially. The apparently contaminated items includes whole peanuts. PCA’s Georgia plant reportedly “just” had problems with peanut products. No information if the Plainview plant sold whole peanuts or not.

And, showing just how clueless the Food and Drug Administration is, the Houston Chronicle reports the FDA didn’t even know PCA had the plant in Plainview until after it began investigating the company’s Georgia plant. Reportedly it had never been registered with the state, either, and so, never inspected until now.

Next question – will somebody in the Obama Administration take time away from financial bailout issues to talk about food safety and supply? (After all, didn’t Obama chide John McCain about being able to do multiple things at one time as president?)

Given that Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack is in the tank for various Big Ag issues, from CAFOs to ADM, don’t hold your breath.

Congress has subpoenaed Parnell family owners of PCA and others, but it will likely be the usual dog-and-pony show that Congressional hearings are in the age of presidentialism.