Peanut company owner sentenced to jail

For putting profit first over public safety and health, a former peanut company executive is facing 28 years in jail for allowing the shipment of salmonella-contaminated peanut butter. The 61-year-old Stewart Parnell of the now-shuttered Peanut Corporation of America will most likely spend the rest of his days dressed in prison garb while reflecting on the turn of events following the salmonella outbreak in 2008 and 2009 that resulted in the death of nine people and caused critical illness for 700 others in several states in the US.

The outbreak was traced back to the peanut butter products from PCA whose manufacturing plant was described as filthy as well as roach and rat infested. Apparently, Parnell, portrayed by his defense lawyers as a small businessman who did not know that his plant was being mismanaged, was aware that the products were already contaminated but he still told a plant manager via email to “Just ship it.”

Salmonella bacteria – usually found in meat, poultry, eggs and unpasteurized milk – is often the cause of food poisoning and illnesses like typhoid fever. The bacteria is also present in fruits and vegetables, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, salmonella is a leading cause of food-borne illnesses with close to 500 people dying and over one million more getting sick every year in the US.

Late last year, the Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines issued an advisory about a voluntary recall of peanut butter products from the distributors of Arrowhead Mills after several batches tested positive for salmonella. It can also be recalled that in 2009, the FDA ordered a recall of all food products from a local manufacturer after lab results showed that its peanut butter products were contaminated with salmonella. The FDA subsequently suspended the company’s license to operate after an audit inspection by the Bureau of Food and Drugs showed that it has continuously violated “current Good Manufacturing Practices” and Administrative Order 153. 

Reports say the sentence of Parnell is unprecedented as it is the stiffest penalty for an executive in relation to a food poisoning case. Families of the victims however say the businessman was actually facing 800 years in prison for “72 counts of fraud, conspiracy and the introduction of adulterated food into interstate commerce.”

Food safety activists claims that very year, an estimated 48 million people suffer from food-borne illnesses, with over 100,000 hospitalized and 3,000 dying from preventable infections. The sentence should put other manufacturers on notice that the consequences for filthy plant conditions and shoddy food manufacturing processes are not peanuts at all. 

Lucio Tan special guest of Chinese President Xi Jinping

The recent grand parade led by Chinese President Xi Jinping over at Tiananmen Square commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japan during World War II was watched by over 30 global leaders that include Russian President Vladimir Putin, South Korean President Park Geun-hye, Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Out of the thousands who watched the parade, only five special guests were invited to watch the whole proceedings from the rostrum of Tiananmen Square – among them Philippine Airlines chairman Lucio Tan and his wife Carmen (seen shaking hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping while Russian president Vladimir Putin looks on).

“El Kapitan” has close ties with the Chinese, contributing to educational institutions and arranging for Filipino-Chinese students to go on learning camps during summer to China.  Who knows, he could play a role in the next administration to strengthen bilateral relations with the Chinese government and perhaps even help in real, honest-to-goodness “backdoor channeling.”

JinJiang Inn opens in Greenbelt

It may be a relatively new player in the accommodations industry, but leading Chinese hotel group Shanghai Jin Jiang is making its presence felt with the recent opening of Jin Jiang Inn in Greenbelt, Makati. This joint venture between Carlos Chan (of Oishi fame) and young entrepreneur Edgar “Injap” Sia will augur well for the DOT’s efforts to attract more tourists as this will augment the accommodation needs of foreign visitors to the country.  Jin Jiang Ortigas, which opened earlier, has 90 rooms while the Greenbelt branch offers 70 rooms. According to Double Dragon/Hotel 101 consultant Arthur Lopez (rightmost in photo with Mrs. Priscilla Chan, businessman Carlos Chan, Jin Jiang China international director Wayne Chan and Injap Sia) Contemporain Development Corp. which owns Jin Jiang Makati is set to build a minimum of 14 hotels all throughout the country. 

PCS continues the fight against cancer

The Philippine Cancer Society continues to espouse its triple advocacy of prevention and early detection, statistical research, and focused-patient services to fight the scourge of cancer. PCS has been collaborating with the Department of Health to enhance awareness about the disease through education and information dissemination activities including the establishment of an internationally recognized registry of cancer statistics covering incidence, mortality and survival rates as well as provision of first line consultations and referrals for those needing further medical attention.

A fundraiser was held the other night at the Makati Shangri-La through the efforts of Consul Agnes Huibonhoa, honoring prominent men and women in society who will take up the cudgels in the fight against the Big C.

***

Email: [email protected].