FDA Releases PCA Inspection Report

ROCKVILLE, Md.—The FDA released an inspection report outlining violations that occurred at the Peanut Corporation of America’s peanut processing plant in Blakely, Ga. The report cites 12 instances between June 2007 and September 2008 where the plant’s own internal testing revealed Salmonella contamination in some of its products. In each case, PCA retested product and received negative results and then shipped the product.

The outbreak has infected more than 500 people in 43 states, and one person in Canada, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Eight deaths have been attributed to the outbreak.

Inspectors outline a number of violations including the detection of mold on the plant’s ceilings and walls of the food cooler, problems with routine cleaning, gaps in the ceiling that would allow water and rodents to enter the plant, dirty residue and grease buildup.

Click here to read the entire report.