New mitigation measures amid COVID-19 death, illness in food manufacturing facilities

In the past few days, more food facilities saw cases on COVID-19 among employees. Smithfield Foods closed its plant in Sioux Falls, SD for 3 days because more than 80 employees tested positive for COVID-19. During the closure, Smithfield plans to clean and sanitize the plant and install additional physical barriers for improved social distancing. In Hazleton, PA, Cargill has sent 900 employees home “indefinitely” from a meat processing facility. Cargill promised to open the facility once it is safe. Cargill is adding temperature testing, additional cleaning and sanitizing, and social distancing measures to its Hazleton facility. It will also stagger work breaks and offer more flexible shifts while prohibiting visitors when it re-opens. In Maple Leaf Foods, in Ontario, Canada, suspended operations at Brampton after three employees tested positive for COVID-19. While closed, Maple Leaf will deep clean the plant and further investigate the spread of the virus. Tyson Foods, in Columbus Junction, IA, ceased operations at its pork plant after 24 cases of COVID-19 were reported at the facility. Tyson is shifting livestock from the Columbus Junction pork plant to other facilities. While the facility is closed Tyson will make the safety and cleanliness improvements to help mitigate the spread of the virus, including deep cleaning and sanitizing. It is also installing dividers between work areas for social distancing. Face masks and other personnel protective equipment are being deployed for the re-opening. @ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2020/04/death-illness-reports-cause-industry-to-get-busy-with-covid-19-mitigation-measures/