AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry said in a statement Wednesday that the eggs from a Turner farm are safe for consumption. The statement confirmed that the department was investigating an undercover video released Tuesday by the Humane Society of the United States that claims to show animal abuse at the […]
decoster
Turner egg farm subject of U.S. Humane Society undercover sting
Paul Shapiro, vice president for farm animal protection with the society, described the footage as part of a Humane Society of the United States investigation and “whistle-blowing operation.” The society called on state and federal agencies to investigate the farm and said it had contacted officials within the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and the U.S. […]
New Turner egg farm management announces raises, hiring
TURNER — Hillandale Farms said Tuesday that it has officially taken over management of the Turner egg farm and has given every hourly worker a raise. In July, Hillandale signed an agreement to take over the long-term leases for the Turner, Winthrop and Leeds egg farms from Moark, a subsidiary of Land O’Lakes. Hillandale, a […]
Hillandale: Turner egg farm management to stay the same
TURNER — The new management of the state’s largest egg farm said Tuesday the company will keep local leadership in place as it takes over. The statement offered Hillandale Farms’ first public comments since taking control of the former DeCoster Egg Farm last month. On July 8, the long-term lease changed hands from Moark, a […]
Turner egg farm goes to company linked to DeCoster and Iowa outbreak
TURNER — The long, mint-green and mustard-yellow barns on Plains Road are nondescript from the outside, surrounded by a sea of neatly mowed lawns. At every driveway, large signs warn “no admittance without prior appointment, no exceptions” and “all vehicles entering must be disinfected.” A metal signpost in front of the road leading to the […]
Jail sentences for DeCoster father, son send strong message to egg industry
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Two former egg industry executives received jail sentences Monday for their roles in a major 2010 salmonella outbreak, representing the latest high-profile victory for government officials hoping to emphasize food safety. The three-month sentences handed down in federal court are noteworthy because only a handful of cases of corporate misconduct […]
DeCosters plead guilty in Iowa to selling tainted eggs
BANGOR — An Iowa egg farm owner, whose business started in Maine, and his son will be sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Iowa for their roles in the sale of contaminated eggs linked to a 2010 salmonella outbreak blamed for sickening an estimated 56,000 people nationwide. In June, Austin “Jack” DeCoster, 80, of […]
Survivor sues man charged in Turner farm shooting
AUBURN — A Connecticut man charged with manslaughter in connection with the fatal shooting of a worker at the former DeCoster egg farm in Turner is being sued by a survivor of the late worker. Angelina Ortiz Hernandez of Durango, Mexico, is listed as the personal representative of Manuel Medina Adame, who died from a […]
DeCoster to pay $6.8M fine in plea deal for salmonella outbreak
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa company has agreed to pay $6.8 million in fines for selling old eggs with false labels for years as well as the tainted products that caused a nationwide salmonella outbreak in 2010, according to a plea agreement released Monday. Quality Egg LLC, once one of the nation’s largest […]
Quality Egg executives expected to plead guilty to selling tainted eggs
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa company and two executives are expected to plead guilty to selling tainted eggs that were responsible for a 2010 salmonella outbreak that sickened thousands and led to an unprecedented recall of 550 million eggs, according to court documents filed Wednesday. Disgraced egg industry titan Austin “Jack” DeCoster and […]