Posted February 26, 2014
A northern Michigan farm owner was sentenced to prison after producing and selling apple cider contaminated with E. coli that sickened several people, according to an article by Michigan Live available here. The Republic also reported on the story here.
James Ruster, owner of Mitchel Hill Farm, “pleaded guilty to willful misbranding and adulteration of food products. He was sentenced to 14 to 48 months in prison plus fines.”
This was the first felony conviction under Michigan’s food law, available here.
In October of 2011, food inspectors received a tip that Ruster was selling apple cider at a farmers market, while he was only licensed to produce maple syrup. Throughout that time, the state repeatedly told him that he did not meet safety standards. In 2012, the state was notified that the cider had caused illness in several people and the state determined that the cider was contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
The judge said Ruster was “criminally negligent in producing food that caused illness and injury to unsuspecting consumers.”
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Jamie Clover Adams said, “Mr. Ruster showed a blatant neglect for not only the safety of his food products, but the health of his customers. It’s tragic that people were so greatly impacted by his willful disregard for food safety rules and regulations.”
For more information on food safety, please visit the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
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