ConAgra to finalize peanut butter deal
— Food giant ConAgra faces a court hearing to finalize an $11.2 million settlement — including the largest criminal fine ever in a U.S. food safety case — to resolve federal charges in a salmonella outbreak that sickened hundreds who ate tainted Peter Pan peanut butter.
The case has taken a long time to reach a resolution. It’s been a decade since salmonella that made more than 600 people sick was traced to a plant in rural Georgia that manufactured peanut butter for ConAgra. The discovered triggered a massive recall.
It wasn’t until last year that the Justice Department disclosed the company would face a criminal charge.
That announcement came with news that ConAgra has already reached a plea deal with prosecutors. A U.S. District Court judge has scheduled a hearing Tuesday to decide whether to approve the settlement.
Here are some things to know about the case: screen peanut butter for contaminants.
Six months later, in August 2007, ConAgra announced it was ready for Peter Pan to return to supermarkets.