Ep 12. From Peanuts To Sick Millions

From Peanuts To Sick Millions is the twelfth episode of season 11 of American Greed, a true-crime documentary series that explores some of the biggest financial crimes committed in recent history. The episode focuses on the case of Stewart Parnell, the CEO of Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), who was responsible for a deadly salmonella outbreak in 2008 and 2009 that sickened thousands of people and caused the death of at least nine.

The episode starts by introducing the viewer to Parnell, a charismatic and successful businessman who inherited his family's peanut processing business and turned it into a major supplier of peanuts and peanut butter to some of the largest food companies in the United States. However, behind his polished façade, Parnell was running a fraudulent operation that put the health of millions of people at risk.

The episode then dives into the details of the salmonella outbreak, which was traced back to a PCA plant in Georgia that was processing peanuts contaminated with the bacteria. The outbreak quickly became a national crisis, with thousands of people falling ill after consuming products that contained the tainted peanuts. The FDA and the CDC launched an investigation into the source of the outbreak, and eventually, they discovered that PCA had been knowingly shipping contaminated products to its customers for years.

As the investigation unfolded, it became clear that Parnell and his team had been falsifying laboratory results to cover up the contamination and had even shipped products that they knew were tainted. The episode features interviews with some of the victims of the outbreak, as well as with the lawyers and investigators who worked on the case, and provides a detailed account of how Parnell and his colleagues were finally brought to justice.

The episode also delves into Parnell's personal life, including his relationship with his brother, who was also involved in the family business, and his wife, who stood by him throughout the trial. The viewer learns about the toll the case took on Parnell's family, as well as on the victims and their families, many of whom suffered long-term health consequences as a result of the outbreak.

Throughout the episode, the viewer is given a sense of the scale of Parnell's crimes, which went far beyond just the contaminated peanuts. The investigative team also discovered that PCA was involved in a massive fraud scheme, selling more peanuts than it actually had and pocketing the profits. Parnell and his colleagues had been living the high life, traveling in private jets and buying luxury cars, even as they were putting people's lives at risk.

From Peanuts To Sick Millions is a chilling reminder of the dangers of corporate greed and the devastating consequences it can have. The episode highlights the importance of strong regulation and oversight in the food industry, as well as the need for accountability and justice for those who put profits ahead of people. It is a cautionary tale for all those who value their health and safety and a tribute to the brave individuals who worked tirelessly to uncover the truth about the deadliest food-borne outbreak in modern U.S. history.