Pasco french fry plant shuts down after worker tests positive for coronavirus

The Lamb Weston french fry plant in Pasco has been temporarily shut down after a worker there tested positive for the new coronavirus.

A thorough sanitation of the facility is being done out of an abundance of caution, said Shelby Stoolman, spokeswoman for Lamb Weston.

Lamb Weston plans to reopen for processing in three to seven days, she said. It has been working with the Benton Franklin Health District on appropriate steps.

“Our priority is to provide a safe environment for our team members who have been working hard to ensure we continue to provide food during this time,” she said.

The Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration have found no evidence of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 respiratory illness being transmitted by food or food packaging, she said.

Lamb Weston officials have been in contact with the worker who tested positive for COVID-19 and can confirm the person is receiving medical care and is in self quarantine.

Idaho-based Lamb Weston is one of the regions largest private employers with more than 4.500 people working across the Mid-Columbia.

The french-fry manufacturer has production facilities in Richland and Pasco, as well as warehouses, research and development and a corporate headquarters in Kennewick.

The two Pasco processing facilities employ about 600 people.