Yesterday, was a tragic day in Washington DC. Several family members testified in Congress, whose loved ones became sick or died from eating tainted peanut butter. What’s even sadder, is it could of been prevented. Unfortunately, the owner or Peanut Corp, Stewart Parnell, is a greedy greedy man with no soul.

Mr. Parnell, who was worried about company profits, ordered the shipment of salmonella tainted peanut products that sickened 600 people and may be linked to nine deaths. When asked to testify, Stewart Parnell, owner of Peanut Corporation of America pleaded the Fifth.

In the picture above, Peter Hurley of Oregon comforts his son, Jacob, during the hearing. Jacob who is only 3 years old, suffered food poisoning related to the case. Thankfully, he is recovering.

In a LA Times report, the former workers of the family-owned firm based in Lynchburg, Va., said the problems were obvious and long-running. “It was pretty filthy around there,” said Jones, 50, who said he worked in the sanitation department for eight months before being laid off.

Recalling rainwater leaking into the plant, he said, “It was coming in through the roof and the vents, but that didn’t stop them from making the paste.” Jones said he earned $6.55 an hour but was happy to have the job, which included mopping water and setting traps that sometimes caught three or four rats a day.

A recent Food and Drug Administration inspection report did not note specific signs of rodents. But it did cite large openings along the sides and tops of the trailers that contained containers of raw or roasted peanuts. It also noted roaches; mold on the walls and ceiling and in the storage cooler; dirty utensils and equipment used in food preparation; and gaps in the roof, allowing for wet conditions that could cause salmonella contamination.

Not all products are tainted. Peter Pan peanut butter is reportedly safe, here is a link to some of the recalled products. Please keep your family safe and be aware several products including cookies, crackers, granola bars, candy, etc. could contain the tainted peanut butter.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families who have gotten sick, or have died. What is happening to our country? Thank god, the greed and corruptness of Wall Street and some businesses are being exposed. Very sad situation.