Floods disrupt Kellogg efforts to restart plant after Listeria probe

The Kellogg waffle plant in the United States at the centre of the Listeria probe remains closed after efforts to bring it back on line were halted by severe flooding in the region.

The Eggo Waffle facility in Atlanta was shuttered on September 2 after officials from the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) discovered traces of Listeria monocytogene in a food sample.

On September 16, the company told FoodProductionDaily.com that it expected production at the factory to restart soon.

But a Kellogg spokeswoman Kris Charles confirmed yesterday its Bucknell Drive plant had been hit by the floods which swept through the the area 10 days ago.

“The greater Atlanta, Georgia area recently suffered extensive flooding,” she said. “Unfortunately, our Atlanta manufacturing facility was impacted by that natural disaster. Fortunately, all of our employees are safe.

Charles added: “Our current priority is flood remediation. Once that clean up is completed, we will be working closely with the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the FDA on approval to resume production."

Last Friday, the GDA confirmed: “The Kellogg’s plant involved in the recall is not currently producing any food products, but the Department is currently working with them to get the plant back online."