Stewart Parnell, 61, the ex-owner of the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), was convicted in 2014 of knowingly shipping tainted products.
His brother Michael, who worked as a food broker, was given 20 years.
The outbreak made hundreds ill and prompted one of the largest food recalls in US history.
Stewart and Michael Parnell were charged after investigators traced the outbreak to the company’s plant in Blakely, Georgia in 2009.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said those who died had eaten tainted peanut butter, but could not say for certain that salmonella caused the deaths.
Inspectors found a leaky roof, cockroaches, and evidence of rats at the plant.
Prosecutors accused managers of creating fake certificates saying the food was safe when it either had not been tested or had been found to be contaminated.
“These acts were driven simply by the desire to profit,” Judge Louis Sands said.
“This is commonly and accurately referred to as greed.”
A former quality control manager at the plant, Mary Wilkerson, was also sentenced to 5 years in prison.
During the trial, Stewart Parnell apologized and asked for forgiveness, saying: “I am personally embarrassed, humiliated and morally disgraced by what happened.”
Symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, headaches, stomach cramps and fever, with infants and the elderly particularly at risk of developing a serious infection.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons President-elect Donald Trump celebrated his election victory at the Ultimate Fighting…
Millions of voters across the US chose to return Donald Trump to the White House…
Donald Trump declares victory in the US election as he addresses jubilant supporters in Florida.…
Stocks around the world are rising as Donald Trump appears to be on the cusp…
Donald Trump has won Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia and taken a lead over Kamala…
Quincy Jones, the celebrated musician and producer who worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray…