Company says it is continuing operations at the Iowa corn processing plant
ADM said four employees at its Clinton, Iowa, corn processing complex have tested positive for COVID-19, but that it is continuing operations at the plant, “in alignment with business continuity plans.”
“Maintaining continuity in the entire food supply chain is essential now more than ever to ensure people continue to have access to the nutrition they need,” an ADM spokesperson said in an email. “We understand that ADM plays a critical global role throughout that supply chain, and we have extensive business continuity plans in place for various scenarios at all of our 800-plus facilities worldwide to ensure we can maintain operations at this critical time.”
According to the spokesperson, the employees are receiving treatment and are quarantined at home.
“The health and safety of our employees are our top priorities, and we are working to support those colleagues in their recovery while also taking extensive measures to ensure the safety of our entire workforce in Clinton,” the company said. “Based on our COVID-19 health and safety protocols, we performed contract tracing and have also asked all colleagues who work in close proximity to these individuals to self-quarantine at home. We have revisited all health and safety guidelines with our Clinton workforce and have provided additional guidance, and we are taking other precautionary measures including deep cleaning at the facility to avoid additional spread.”
ADM said it is closely monitoring the situation and is communicating with employees and local health authorities as things evolve.
According to data from Johns Hopkins University, there are 19 active cases of COVID-19 in Clinton County, Iowa, where the plant is located, in the far eastern portion of the state. Iowa has had 1,145 cases of the disease and 27 deaths.
