Cleaning product shuts down Sussex chicken plant
A chicken plant in Harbeson has been reopened after production was stopped Oct. 29 when an incorrect cleaning product was used on some of the facility's equipment.
A spokesperson for Allen Harim Foods, operator of the Harbeson plant, said production stopped mid-morning Oct. 29 and was back on line Oct. 30.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requested that the plant shut down its production line and clean off the improper product. Processed chickens that may have been affected remain at the facility. Allen Harim is waiting for USDA to determine whether the product can be shipped, the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson declined to comment on what cleaning product was used or how much processed chicken was affected.
Allen Harim's Harbeson plant also was recently fined $38,000 after the Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the company for issues related to musculoskeletal injuries among employees. OSHA also said Allen Harim's Harbeson plant failed to provide proper medical oversight.
The same spokesperson said in September that Allen Harim staff are reviewing the OSHA allegations, and the company strongly disagrees with OSHA's assertions.
