Garden-Fresh Foods halts production at Wisconsin facility

Garden-Fresh Foods, a fresh food provider based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has stopped production at its Milwaukee facility over contamination issues.

Since the end of August the company has made eight separate recalls, withdrawing several products, including fresh-cut vegetables, ready-to-eat slaws, spreads and dips, as well as ready-to-eat chicken and ham products.

The company initiated its first recall on 30 August 2013 following routine sampling conducted by Michigan state food safety officials who detected Listeria bacteria.

Company spokeswoman Mary Roberts told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that it is not known how long production will be halted, but most employees have been assigned to other duties in the plant.

Around 100 employees working at the facility have been reassigned.

Food and Drug Administration officials have been monitoring the plant.

Roberts said, "We are working tirelessly to resolve the current issue and will make any changes necessary to ensure we are in compliance with food safety regulations and our own exacting standards for high quality."

"We will not reopen until we are 100% satisfied that we can produce and maintain the safest, highest quality products possible," she added.

To date no illnesses have been reported due to the consumption of the company’s recalled products.

Garden-Fresh Foods provides salad bases and kits, salads, fresh-cut vegetables, desserts, dips and spreads in the US.

It serves grocery chains, restaurants, healthcare facilities and institutions throughout the country.

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Image: Garden-Fresh Foods has stopped production at its Milwaukee plant to deal with recalls and contamination issues. Photo courtesy of Grant Cochrane at freedigitalphotos.net.