TIFTON, Georgia– The Georgia Peanut Commission, which represents over 4,500 family farms who produce peanuts, supports the efforts of the federal and state officials investigating the allegations against Peanut Corporation of America. The commission has been in contact with government officials to assure that peanut producer interests and the consumers of Georgia peanuts are protected.

If the allegations are proven to be accurate, those involved should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In addition to the loss of life and illnesses caused by these alleged acts, peanut producers have also suffered with non-stop media coverage of this case. At a critical period for crop planning and negotiation of peanut contracts, Georgia’s producers have been seriously injured.

The commission has been meeting with top officials in Congress to discuss food safety options that offer the best assurance that this type of crisis will not occur again in the peanut manufacturing processes. The commission is reviewing multiple food safety legislative proposals that have been offered in Congress to improve the current food manufacturing procedures. The commission will alert our congressional leadership as to our position on these proposals.

Leaders in Congress have been very clear that peanut producers were not the target of food safety reform efforts. Unfortunately, much damage has been done to our industry due to the actions of a few. The commission will continue to work with state and federal officials as well as our industry partners to continue the assurance that Georgia growers continue to grow a healthy and delicious commodity for the consumer and this type of food safety tragedy does not occur ever again.