In a shocking revelation, the FDA confirmed yesterday that the Georgia peanut company linked to the salmonella outbreak knowingly shipped products it knew were laced with the contamination. Apparently the company had confirmed contamination as far back as 2007, according to an AP article appearing in today’s Baltimore Sun.

From a legal standpoint, this revelation may open the door to the recovery of punitive damages against the Georgia company and its officers. In addition, criminal charges are likely to be closely examined. The Justice Department has confirmed opening a criminal investigation. The salmonella outbreak has been blamed for at least eight deaths and 575 illnesses in 43 states.

Problems at the plant date back to 2001 when FDA inspectors found that products potentially were exposed to insecticides, “one of several violations uncovered during the last visit federal officials made before the current food-poisoning scare, according to a report obtained by The Associated Press” the Baltimore Sun reports.

The product liability lawyers of Silverman, Thompson, Slutkin & White have significant experience in handling product liability cases such as the peanut salmonella outbreak. We are now accepting cases, on a nationwide basis, against the Georgia peanut company. If you or a family member has been sickened by this reckless conduct, please contact us immediately for a free evaluation of your case (1-800-385-2243).For accepted cases, we are handling these cases on a no recovery-no fee-no expenses basis. There is no charge for a case evaluation.