As we wait for sentencing, here is a letter that my clients sent to the judge:
Judge Sands:
We the victims of the Salmonella tainted peanut butter respectfully ask that you impose a monetary restitution fine of $500,000.00 to be split between the five defendants as you see fit. We ask these funds, if approved, are to be payable to the organizations specified below if possible.
This request is designed to help further the food safety cause. We have lost our loved ones and have worked hard to help to prevent this from happening to others. Our request is not a selfish request, we only ask that you assign any monies, divided equally amongst the listed organizations; to aid families who have suffered or are suffering from food borne illnesses.
Medical expenses alone from contaminated food are hurting families and victim’s health; sometimes for life, because companies like PCA (Peanut Corporation of America) have failed to protect the public.
Those of us who have lost loved ones will be there to speak and you would help give us closure if we knew the organizations that helped us through a very rough time were funded to help others.
Organizations representing victims of foodborne Illness:
*STOP Foodborne Illness
*Center for Foodborne Illness Research and Prevention
Organizations with foodborne illness advocacy programs:
- Consumer Federation of America
- National Consumers League
- Food and Water Watch
With sincere respect,
Victims families