Hormel Foods continues production
as normal at its Austin, Minnesota, food production facility
following an explosion which injured five employees.
In the US, Hormel Foods has said that it is continuing production as normal at its Austin, Minnesota, food production facility following an explosion which injured five employees.
Chairman, president and chief executive officer Joel Johnson outlined the company's objectives in responding to the accident.
"Our primary concern is for the employees who were injured and their families, and we are in ongoing contact with them," Johnson said. Five individuals were injured in the incident and four are recovering in an area hospital.
"Our second initiative is to co-operate fully with state fire officials and OSHA authorities to analyse the explosion and fire," Johnson continued. "Hormel Foods Corporation has a long-standing commitment to operational and food safety."
"Third, we are maintaining normal production at the plant and have done so since approximately 09.30 on Thursday [4 September]," Johnson added. "Production on Thursday was down for a short period following the accident, but we have returned to full production."
"Fourth, we are initiating plans to repair the damage," Johnson said. "We expect this work to be completed by the middle of next week. We anticipate that the cost of the repairs will not be material."
Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer-branded fresh pork, food and meat products.
