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Aunt Kitty's Food Inc. in Vineland allowed workers to service and clean equipment without having procedures in place to stop machinery from starting unexpectedly, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Aunt Kitty's is a subsidiary of Hanover Foods Corp., a prominent northeast food manufacturer based in York County, PA.
OSHA slapped Aunt Kitty's with seven safety violations after the agency began an investigation in September 2023.
Aunt Kitty's Food Inc. manufactures canned goods including soups, sauces, pasta, vegetables and gravy. Hanover sells food products under the brands of Bickel's Snacks, Castleberry's, John Cope's, Spring Glen and Wege Pretzels.
OSHA inspectors said they found one willful violation, two repeat violations and four serious violations.
Among the violations, Aunt Kitty's failed to:
- Keep the work floor in a clean and dry condition after food waste and water leaked onto the floor;
- Provide proper guarding on a conveyor system;
- Train workers on certain procedures, and;
- Conduct annual audits on machines.
OSHA Area Director Paula Dixon-Roderick said, "Our investigation found Aunt Kitty's Food failed to provide a safe and healthful workplace and we will hold them legally accountable.”
In addition to its Vineland plant, Hanover operates manufacturing facilities in in Centre Hall, Clayton, Hanover and York, PA, as well as in Teculutan, Guatemala.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to respond to the proposed fines.
Aunt Kitty's Food did not return a call for comment.
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