Covid-19: Maple Leaf Foods shuts Brampton poultry plant in Canada

Canada’s Maple Leaf Foods has suspended operations at its Brampton Poultry plant in Brampton, Ontario, after three people working at the facility were infected with the coronavirus (Covid-19).

The company noted that the decision to shut the operations at the facility was taken out of an abundance of caution and to complete an investigation.

Maple Leaf Foods president and CEO Michael McCain said: “As a major food company in an essential industry, Maple Leaf Foods is doing everything possible to protect the health of our 13,000 team members while producing the food our customers in North America and Asia need now more than ever.”

The company has ordered a complete investigation and a deep clean as quickly as possible. It also added that it will not resume operations until the facility is safe to work.

In addition, Maple Leaf Foods said that a team member at its Heritage plant in Hamilton, Ontario, was also tested Covid-19 positive.

However, the team member was present at the plant for two weeks before the diagnosis and after completing thorough sanitation at Heritage and the plant is fully operational.

McCain added: “We are closely coordinating with Canadian Food Inspection Agency officials and the Public Health Departments throughout Canada to ensure that we are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of our people.

“Government experts in Canada and the US have made it clear that Covid-19 is not a foodborne illness and there is currently no evidence that food is a likely source or route of transmission of Covid-19.

“This is a very fluid situation and our teams are working very closely within our network, as well as with our supply chain and logistics partners so that we can continue to deliver safe food at this critical time.”