MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Maple Leaf
Foods Inc. (TSX: MFI) is continuing its rigorous safety efforts at
its Brandon, Manitoba, plant to
prevent workplace transmission amidst the recent COVID-19 cluster
occurring in the community. The plant continues to operate safely,
and Public Health experts have said on numerous occasions that
there is no evidence of workplace transmission occurring at the
plant.
The Company is extending its efforts to reduce spread of
COVID-19 within the community by reinforcing the importance of
precautions such as social distancing and by making 500,000 free
masks available to community members.
Operationally, Maple Leaf Foods has temporarily suspended pork
exports to China on a voluntary
basis due to recent protocols adopted by the Chinese government for
Canadian processors. The protocol requires any plant reporting a
COVID-19 positive case suspend exports to China temporarily.
The Company also has been impacted by short-term increases in
absenteeism. Maple Leaf Foods believes this is a short-term
situation and not a material financial event, given the diversity
of the Company's markets. Experts at the Centers for Disease
Control and the World Health Organization have been unequivocal
about the fact that COVID-19 cannot be transmitted through food
products.
"We are confident in our Maple Leaf Safety Promise – providing
consumers with safe, great tasting food made in a safe working
environment – but, we respect China's new import protocols for Canadian
products and are working cooperatively with Canadian and Chinese
authorities to resume exports quickly," said Michael McCain, President and CEO.
For more Information about our COVID-19 Response please see our
website: www.mapleleaffoods.com or click on this
link to a video about our efforts.
Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains
forward-looking statements based on Maple Leaf Foods' current
expectations and assumptions relating to its business, including
the impact of COVID-19, the impact of the suspension of pork
exports to China, the conditions
and timing for the resumption of pork exports to China, and operations and absenteeism at the
Brandon plant. As these
forward-looking statements depend upon future events, actual
outcomes may differ materially depending on factors such as:
government policies and protocols in China and Canada; developments related to COVID-19;
plant operations; employee absenteeism; supply chain logistics;
international trade dynamics; and other developments in the
business, operational, legal and regulatory environments.
There can be no assurance that the results or developments
anticipated by Maple Leaf Foods will be realized or that they will
have the expected outcomes.
All forward-looking statements contained in this news release
are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Readers are
cautioned that they should not unduly rely on these forward-looking
statements and that the information contained in the
forward-looking statements may not be appropriate for other
purposes. Further, readers are cautioned that the forward-looking
statements in this news release speak only as of the date
hereof. Maple Leaf Foods does not undertake any obligation to
update forward-looking statements except as required by securities
law.
About Maple Leaf Foods Inc.
Maple Leaf Foods is a
producer of food products under leading brands including Maple
Leaf®, Maple Leaf Prime®, Maple Leaf Natural
Selections®, Schneiders®,
Schneiders® Country Naturals®,
Mina®, Greenfield Natural Meat Co. ®,
Lightlife®, Field Roast Grain Meat Co.™ and
Swift®. Maple Leaf employs approximately 13,000 people
and does business in Canada, the U.S. and Asia. The
Company is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario and its
shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MFI).
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/maple-leaf-foods-provides-update-on-covid-19-at-brandon-plant-301114494.html
SOURCE Maple Leaf Foods Inc.