(Plainview, TX) -- The Peanut Corporation of American plant in Plainview, Texas has been fined 14-point-six-million-dollars in penalties for alleged violations of state food safety regulations.
Texas Department of State Health Services officials say the alleged violations include illnesses linked to consumption of the plant's peanuts, unsanitary conditions, product contamination and operating for nearly four years without a food manufacturer's state license.
The company can either accept and pay the penalties, discuss the allegations with DSHS or request a formal hearing.
Any money collected will go the Texas general revenue account.
State health officials ordered the Plainview plant to close in mid-February and recall all products shipped since it opened in March 2005.
A state inspector allegedly discovered dead rodents, rodent excrement and bird feathers in a crawl space and an unsealed air handling system that was pulling the debris into production areas.
Plant officials voluntarily stopped operations in early February after testing showed possible salmonella contaminants in products.
(Copyright 2009 by Newsroom Solutions)
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