Foster Farms chicken processing plant in California can't seem to keep their doors open.
According to the Associated Press, the plant, which reportedly reopened over the weekend has "voluntarily and temporarily" suspended operations again due to a cockroach infestation. Some publications report the plant did not reopen during the weekend.
Health officials state more time is needed to address their insect problem. The company stated Sunday that the plant in Livingston would be closed for several days in order 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.
Last week the plant was ordered to suspend production after health officials found the factory was infested with roaches during the 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."
The suspension notice stated roaches were found near the processing line and on a plastic tub. Both places have come in contact with the poultry produced at the plant. Farms representative stated that no poultry has been affected. All products were reportedly transferred to the company's other plants in California's Central Valley.
Foster Farms was later given the green light to continue operations after performing a thorough cleanup and treatment of its plant, which was temporarily shut down for a reported infestation of live cockroaches, NBC News reported.
Ron Foster, president of Foster Farms, said in a statement over the weekend that his firm was devoted to finding a solution.
"Foster Farms was founded on a commitment to excellence, honesty, quality and service," Foster said, according to NBC News. "We have devoted our fullest efforts to resolve this issue. As a company, Foster Farms will emerge stronger and with a continued commitment to quality."
The Livingston facility is one of the three Foster Farms plants in central California being investigated for an outbreak of antibiotic-resistant salmonella. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a total of 416 people in 23 states and Puerto Rico, have reportedly become ill, due to a salmonella outbreak.
