McCain Foods Confirms California Vegetable Plant Closure

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A Colton, California-based McCain Foods factory in specializing in the production of frozen caramelized and sautéed vegetables and fruits will be shut down, the company has confirmed. The action will result in layoffs for about 100 workers.

“We value our employees, and as such, the closure of a facility is never an easy decision, especially when it means job losses,” said Jeff DeLapp, president of McCain’s North America operations.

He continued: “All of our employees will be treated fairly and respectfully. We have made and will continue to make significant investments in McCain’s North American business in order to be leaders in our industry and meet the evolving needs of our customers. We remain fully committed to the US market, where our existing production facilities in Idaho, Maine, Nebraska, Washington and Wisconsin will continue unaffected.”

Ingredients supplied to industrial further processors from the California plant, including fire-roasted black bean corn, mushrooms and dried tomatoes, were recalled last autumn as “a precautionary measure for the safety of consumers.” The recall, which reportedly affected more than 100 million pounds of product, was triggered over concern about potential contamination from Listeria and Salmonella pathogens.

In a recent e-mail to The New Food Economy online news platform, McCain spokesperson Andrea Davis confirmed that the recall was a factor in the company’s decision to close the plant, but added that there were other reasons as well.

“The product mix produced at the Colton facility does not support the changing needs of our portfolio,” commented Davis. “While the recent recall was one consideration, the decision to permanently close the facility was ultimately a business decision.”