Food Roundup: PCA Pleads Fifth, Kraft Freezes Pay, Eggs Are Okay, and More

PCA Owner Refuses to Testify — Stewart Parnell, owner of Peanut Corporation of America, repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination Wednesday at a House subcommittee hearing about the recent widespread salmonella outbreak in peanut products. Emails had surfaced suggesting that Parnell instructed his workers to ship products he knew were contaminated, because the contamination was “costing us huge $$$$$$.” To date bad peanut butter is linked to nine deaths and more than 600 who have become sick. [Source: AP]

Kraft freezes executive pay — Because of current economic troubles, CEO Irene Rosenfeld is taking a pay freeze along with 18 other top managers, though regular employees will still be eligible for raises. “It’s important to set the right tone at the top,” a spokesman said. The company, long thought to be recession-proof, reported a disappointing quarter last week and cut its 2009 earnings and sales forecast. [Source: Chicago Tribune]

Calorie disclosure affects restaurants orders — A majority of New Yorkers have been surprised at the caloric content of different menu items, now that the information is available at all large restaurants because of city legislation. According to a Technomic survey, 82 percent of New Yorkers said knowing calorie content has affected what they order, and 60 percent said it affects which restaurants they go to. [Source: Meat & Poultry]

KFC secret recipe home safe — The recipe for KFC’s fried chicken breading has returned to Louisville, Ky., after being hidden away for several months while the company upped security. The recipe is now stored in a safe protected by two-foot concrete walls, motion-sensors, and 24-hour guards. [Source: WLKY.com]

Eggs not harmful — Eating eggs does not lead to high cholesterol or heart disease, a study by University of Surrey researchers concluded. “The ingrained misconception linking egg consumption to high blood cholesterol and heart disease,” one researcher said, is based on outdated evidence, and “must be corrected.” [Source: BBC News]