We all remember the threats our parents gave us to stop misbehaving.
"If you do that one more time..." or, "Ok, I mean it this time."
I suppose that's what the Food and Drug Administration kept telling the Peanut Corporation of America in response to its salmonella problems, until death reports began to surface and the nation grew increasingly wary of putting those peanut butter crackers in their child's lunch.
Since 2007, the Peanut Corporation's plant in Georgia has tested positive for traces of salmonella a stomach-churning 12 times. A dozen separate incidents in which a disease that can spread rapidly and cause typhoid fever and death simply passed by the FDA with simply a check mark on the report sheet.
Federal inspectors found several instances of mold, leaky roofs, unsanitary work stations and even cockroaches in the Blakely, Ga. plant. Despite the findings, the owner of the plant said the problems were "relatively minor." I only care for a hint of cockroach in my peanut butter, thanks.
Only after 12 separate reports of salmonella in the corporation's plant are fingers finally being pointed in search of the answers.
And the truth is, the blame needs to be placed on both the FDA and the Peanut Corporation of America plant in Georgia. Both parties are the culprits in this "sticky" situation.
Surely one or two outbreaks can be swept under the media rug. It's this 12th incident that has finally captured the nation's attention and concern, however. Since September 2008, 500 cases of salmonella have been reported across 43 states and Canada, including eight fatalities. All it took was a countrywide scare and multiple deaths for people to worry about this.
I admit I am guilty of the same blindness. Until this most recent outbreak I hadn't heard much news about these repeated instances by the company, or put stock into their severity. Apparently the FDA didn't either.
It's becoming a scary thought that the organization designed to protect consumers from harmful foods and drugs is failing to do so. While the Georgia plant has had a number of incidents, the more habitual action seems to be the FDA's failure to do its job and its inability to take action against these violations.
Only after the guys in Washington, D.C. ask questions does the FDA step in and take names. And after learning President Barack Obama is dissatisfied with the job of the FDA and plans to appoint a new commissioner of the organization are underway, now the administration is demanding a criminal investigation.
This isn't the first time the FDA has faced criticism for its actions, or lack thereof. In the last 15 years there have been numerous cases of contaminated products from companies that never saw the courtroom.
Eight years ago, the Sara Lee Corp. was fined just $200,000 for pleading guilty to selling bad meat that killed 15 people.
In 1993, an E. coli outbreak that sickened more than 700 people and killed four who ate undercooked Jack in the Box hamburgers did lead to tighter agriculture standards, but no one was ever prosecuted.
And just three years ago, prosecutors failed to press charges against two produce companies after another E. Coli outbreak, that time in spinach.
Now, cases of peanut butter, cakes, candy and even dog treats are being recalled from stores across the country. Sorry, Rover.
Until the FDA can clean up its act, along with the growing number of harmful products on the market, the worry and concern from consumers will only increase.
For the Peanut Corporation plant in Blakely, Ga.: This time your actions will be held accountable. And for the less active FDA: Start taking these incidents more seriously.
And I mean it this time.
Brian Eller is a senior majoring in journalism and is the Daily Collegian's Thursday columnist. His e-mail address is bpe5006@psu.edu.
