Pennsylvania-based company linked to rule-breaker Jack DeCoster buys 3 Maine egg farms

[jpak]

Source: Portland Press Herald

A company that was at the center of a nationwide salmonella outbreak that sickened thousands and has had close ties to notorious Maine egg magnate Austin “Jack” DeCoster has purchased three Maine egg farms once owned by DeCoster.

Pennsylvania-based Hillandale Farms, operating through a subsidiary, purchased the farms in Turner, Leeds and Winthrop from a subsidiary of Land O’Lakes, the Minnesota egg and dairy cooperative that acquired them in a lease deal in November 2011. Hillandale and its founder have longstanding ties with DeCoster, a serial rule-breaker who was sentenced in April to three months in jail for his role in the 2010 salmonella outbreak. Federal officials traced the outbreak to two Iowa farms, one controlled by Hillandale, the other by DeCoster and his son, Peter.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the outbreak included 1,939 confirmed cases of salmonella, and that more than 56,000 people may have been sickened. It resulted in the recall of half a billion eggs, a high-profile congressional hearing, and ultimately federal charges against the DeCosters alleging they and their company knew their eggs were testing positive for the disease but did not try to divert eggs from the market.

Hillandale Farms, whose eggs are sold in supermarkets across the country, was founded by Orland Bethel, for years a close ally and business partner of Jack DeCoster, and he still serves as president of its primary unit, Hillandale Farms of Pennsylvania. Bethel also serves as secretary of Hillandale Farms East Inc., the parent entity of the integrated enterprise, which is headed by Orland’s son, Gary Bethel.

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Read more: http://www.pressherald.com/2015/08/14/company-linked-to-rule-breaker-jack-decoster-buys-maine-egg-farms/

[Sunlei]

1. 56,000 people sick "their company knew their eggs were testing positive for the disease.....

"their company knew their eggs were testing positive for the disease but did not try to divert eggs from the market."

more than 56,000 people may have been sickened

[valerief]

2. No punishment for the rich. Now, how do I find out which eqq brands to avoid?

And don't tell me had to do prison time and pay a fine. He got probation and probably didn't have to pay the fine. Anyway, the real crime is he's allowed to poison people some more. He shouldn't be.

[magical thyme]

3. I'll just stick to my organic, free-range Nellies Eggs.

They're a little more expensive than the factory farm eggs, but less costly than Land O'Lakes or other expensive organics. They also sell as Pete and Jerries eggs, but those are more expensive at our store.

http://nelliesfreerange.com/life-farm/nellies-story/

[erronis]

4. We've been buying Pete&Jerries and Nellies recently.

However it's really hard to tell anymore the sources and handling of most agricultural products.

More money is spent on labeling with "organic, natural, free range, gluten free (really?), happy hens, etc." than may be spent on making sure the millions of eggs that customers demand are safe.

High-end labeling and advertising are usually a sign that agri-business has bought out the local farm. Cabot cheese, anyone?

[magical thyme]

5. as far as I can determine, they are still owned by the original founders

and they have the "certified humane" stamp.
http://certifiedhumane.org/

I know what you mean, though. Once a place does get sold, it's usually done.