Parker Waichman LLP

Animal Factory Farms Linked to Food Poisoning Outbreaks

Salmonella Linked Animal Feces From Factory At least one expert believes that the  massive peanut salmonella outbreak linked to the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), likely has animal feces from factory farming at its core.  According to Neil Barnard—a medical doctor, nutrition researcher, and president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, writing for AgWeek—food […]

Animal Factory Farms

Salmonella Linked Animal Feces From Factory At least one expert believes that the  massive peanut salmonella outbreak linked to the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), likely has animal feces from factory farming at its core.  According to Neil Barnard—a medical doctor, nutrition researcher, and president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, writing for AgWeek—food safety experts and researchers are missing the real problem.

And, while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) blames peanut butter and peanut paste made by PCA, Barnard feels that blaming an “innocuous” food might not be the answer, citing the 2006 E. coli outbreak linked to spinach and the 2008 salmonella outbreak first linked to tomatoes and finally to Mexican peppers, reported AgWeek.  Barnard feels more success would be realized if the problem was tackled head on and earlier on in the food processing chain as opposed to patching the problem further down the line and only after consumers are stricken or dying.

Because Salmonella and E. coli are intestinal bacteria and because spinach, tomatoes, peppers, and peanuts—for example—do not have intestines, experts should be looking beyond the tainted produce and to the tainting source, says Barnard.  When produce becomes tainted, the source is typically feces contamination from an infected animal by either corrupted fertilizer or irrigation water used in the fields, Barnard explains in the AgWeek piece.

Industrial Farm Contaminates Air, Water, Soil And Crops

Barnard noted that a recent Pew Commission Report on industrial farm animal production explained that, “untreated animal waste harboring pathogens contaminates air, water, soil, and crops.”  As a matter-of-fact, FDA investigators determined that farm animal waste was ultimately found to be the origin of the 2006 E. coli outbreak, reported AgWeek.  According to Barnard, the government needs to step up and recognize that the origin of the current salmonella outbreak is an out-of-control factory farming system.  Many food safety experts agree, blaming the increase in food borne pathogenic outbreaks on mega-farms, -processors, and –distribution centers, with enormous amounts of food being processed with a lack of protocols, inspectors, and safety workers to accommodate a growing need.

Barnard points out that Americans consume animals at an astounding rate of one million animals per hour with related farms, feedlots, and animal processing operations continually being established nationwide to meet the need.  Figuring that one factory farm typically accommodates thousands of such animals, Barnard calculated that the related waste was similar to that produced by a “small city,” pointing out that runoff from such farms is, in fact, the largest American water pollution problem with animal waste in the runoff containing pathogens in concentrations from 10-to-100 times greater than those found in human waste.

The PCA plant linked to the salmonella outbreak is located in Georgia, notes Barnard, and Georgia is also the country’s number one state producer of chicken meat and eggs, and, coincidentally, peanuts.  Barnard points out that the state raises over 1.3 billion chickens annually under “crowded, often unsanitary conditions,” pointing to an obvious link between the billions of peanuts Georgia grows and salmonella and other pathogenic infections originating from chickens and the filthy conditions under which they are maintained.  Worse, there are a number of counties in Georgia in which dangerous, often deadly, bacteria can move from a poultry to a peanut factory via runoff from neighboring fields, says Barnard.  But Georgia, although highlighted because of the PCA scandal, is not the only state in which this sort of cross-contamination often occurs.

While PCA’s disgusting processing facilities harbored various types of salmonella, it is likely that the pathogens originated from any number of sources, including the rodent and pest population which had made PCA their home, as well as filthy runoff contaminating farmlands in which peanuts are produced.  If the latter turns out to be the case, then the likelihood exists that nonPCA peanuts and peanut products—so far deemed safe by government officials—are at great risk for pathogenic transfer and infection.

Need Legal Help Regarding Sickness From Animal Factory Farms?

The personal injury attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. For more information, fill out our online contact form or call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
Gina Viti..My Lawyer with PW LLP.., Gina is an extra special person with Neverending patience..I am OLD SCHOOL..She had to walk me through all necessary steps and did so with knowledge and kind consideration..Not easy to deal with an elder..Gina miraculously got my HEARING going over the phone..Gina is a thorough all encompassing Lawyer..I so much appreciate her and will never forget her
Dorothy Zaharatos
4 weeks ago
5 Star Reviews 150
The best lawyer company I have ever met, very attentive, very concerned about my case, especially Jorge Peniche, who helped me with everything with my medication, my therapy, and followed up on my case from the beginning. It is a company that I recommend to all my friends. Friends Parker Waichman
Nestor Herrera
5 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Professionalism , Responsiveness I had a positive experience with Parker Waichman. My contact Christina Morace has been extremely helpful. She was professional, knowledgeable and always quick to respond to my inquiries.
Shan Pang
3 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038