After more than a week of voluntary closure, the Foster Farms Central California chicken processing plant has resumed operations.
According to the Associated Press, Foster Farms in Livingston announced that after a 10-day shutdown to deal with a cockroach infestation, the plant resumed production on Wednesday. The AP reported that employees were contacted to return to work after the closure reportedly dealt with "manufacturing procedures and monitoring systems."
Operations were originally shut down by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Jan. 8, after health officials discovered the infestation. During four visits over the last five months: Sept. 14, Nov. 4, Dec. 28 and Jan. 7, health officials cited the factory for "egregious insanitary conditions."
Foster Farms was later given the green light to continue operations after performing a thorough cleanup and treatment of its plant, but the plant "voluntarily and temporarily" suspended operations on Jan. 12, due to the same infestation issue. The company stated at the time that they needed several days to "properly implement new food safety measures."
"The company is exercising vigilance and choosing to dedicate additional time to ensuring its preventative plan is fully realized with the most effective technology and treatments available," the statement said.
The plant is one of three under investigation for a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 430 people in 23 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No recalls have been reported, but the health officials advised consumers to handle chicken properly and cook it thoroughly. Salmonella is often found in undercooked chicken.
