DALLAS (AP) - A Texas inspector never noted that a peanut plant
at the center of a salmonella outbreak had no state health
department license -- despite at least three visits.
Details are in interviews and documents obtained by The
Associated Press.
AP today reports the inspector responsible for certifying the
Plainview plant noted after each visit that the plant had such a
license -- when it didn't.
Problems at the plant operated by Peanut Corp. of America might
have been flagged years ago had the inspector, who has since been
fired, reported the plant's failure to obtain the required license.
When the plant was finally inspected earlier this year, Texas
health officials found dead rodents, rodent excrement and bird
feathers in a crawl space above a production area.
That led regulators to order a recall of all products the plant
had shipped since 2005.
Inspector Gaylon Amonett was fired on Feb. 13 -- the day after
state health officials ordered the recall.
Texas Department of Agriculture spokesman Bryan Black said if
the lack of a license had been properly noted -- the department
would have denied it organic certification.
Amonett acknowledged he checked "yes" on whether the Plainview
plant had records showing it was in compliance with health codes
for inspections in 2005, 2006 and 2008.
The reason he checked "yes" the first time was because a plant
manager told him an application for state health department
licensing was completed and was at company headquarters.
Six of 12 sunscreens rated ''very good,'' but pricier not always better.
These problems don't significantly affect quality of life, study says
High blood pressure, other complications seen in adolescence
Mothers with deficiency had kids with lower IQs and reading ability, researchers say
Some popular brands associated with high blood sugar levels in study, but odds of problems are low
WASHINGTON (AP) — Reading, writing, arithmetic — and PE?
DENVER (AP) — In the most prominent challenge of its kind, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. asked a federal appeals court Thursday for an exemption from part of the federal health care law that requires it to offer employees health coverage that includes access to the morning-after pill.
By Thomas Ferraro WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The biggest overhaul of U.S. immigration laws in a generation won bipartisan approval from a powerful U.S. Senate committee last week, but there is a strong chance that Republicans in the House of Representatives will end up killing it. The problem: House Republicans are far from convinced by arguments from party leaders that passage of the bill would help Republicans draw support from Hispanic voters. Many also believe any kind of amnesty for the estimated 11 million immigrants who are in the United States illegally is just plain wrong. ...
VIENNA (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, singer Elton John and actor Hilary Swank joined thousands of costumed revelers on Saturday at Europe's biggest AIDS charity event, Vienna's Life Ball. Dressed in skimpy costumes for the ball's 1,001 Nights theme, or simply in extravagant drag, party-goers braved unseasonally chilly temperatures of 8 degrees Celsius (46 degrees Fahrenheit) for the outdoor party. ...
