Coronavirus concern closes Frito-Lay chip plant in Modesto for cleaning
Frito-Lay has closed its Modesto plant for “deep cleaning” after some employees showed coronavirus-like symptoms.
The company said by email Tuesday night that “multiple” workers are in self-quarantine for 14 days after complaining of symptoms “consistent with COVID-19.”
Frito-Lay did not disclose the number of employees, their conditions or the duration of the closure. The plant employs about 600 people on Garner Road in the Beard Industrial District.
The quarantined people include those showing symptoms and others found to be in contact with them.
The company, based in Plano, Texas, said there is no evidence that the coronavirus can spread to consumers via the potato and corn chips and other snacks. The plant is one of several around the country.
“As a precautionary measure, we have made the decision to temporarily close the Frito-Lay Modesto facility in order to conduct a deep cleaning of the contacted areas and equipment based on CDC guidelines and using EPA-approved registered products for COVID-19,” the company said.
A news release Tuesday from Frito-Lay’s parent company, PepsiCo, mentioned the possibility of plant closures around the nation amid the COVID-19 emergency.
The release said employees in quarantine would receive full pay for those two weeks and two-thirds of their pay for up to 10 weeks.
PepsiCo also plans to hire about 6,000 full-time people to help the 90,000-plus current employees meet the demand for food and beverages.
Such companies can continue to operate amid California’s stay-at-home order because they are considered “essential” businesses.
This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 9:08 PM.
