Operations at two poultry plants in British Columbia, Canada, have temporarily ceased due to concerns over a high number of employee cases of COVID-19.
Fraser Valley Specialty Poultry
The Fraser Health Authority on April 30 issued a closure order for the Fraser Valley Specialty Poultry facility in Chilliwack to remain closed following an outbreak of COVID-19 among staff members working at the facility. According to a press release from Fraser Health, all staff at the plant have been tested for COVID-19.
The closure order will be in place until the company can demonstrate that it meets the parameters of the order, which includes addressing deficiencies at the site.
Superior Poultry Processors
Superior Poultry Processors Ltd, a Coquitlam-based poultry processing plant, remains closed as of May 1, following a public health order issued on April 24, 2020.
To date, 49 employees have tested positive for COVID-19. Case and contact management is ongoing. The facility will remain closed until the conditions of the order are met.
Sofina Foods plant remains open
Sofina Foods’ poultry processing plant in Port Coquitlam, remains open at this time. There is one staff member who has tested positive for COVID-19.
According to Fraser Health, case and contact management is ongoing. All symptomatic employees have been tested. The site has been inspected by Fraser Health and the authority is working with the facility to update its COVID-19 mitigation strategies.
Another Sofina Foods poultry plant has had at least one case of COVID-19. The company reported on April 23 that its first case had occurred at its facility in Calgary, Alberta.
According to the WATTAgNet Top Poultry Companies Database, Sofina Foods is active in the processing of both chicken and turkey. It’s subsidiaries include Cuddy Food Products, Lilydale and Janes Family Foods.
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