Six Evol Foods employees sickened by carbon monoxide

Six employees working at Evol Foods, a producer of burritos and other frozen foods, were sickened by carbon monoxide emissions at the Boulder, Colorado factory.

Facility evacuated​

According to emergency responders, excessive levels of carbon monoxide within the facility were detected at the Evol Foods plant (which produces burritos, tacos, and bowl meals) after some individuals complained of illness. The facility was evacuated, and six of the employees present at the time of the leak were carried off to a local hospital for medical attention as a precaution.

Boulder Brands CEO Steve Hughes told FoodProductionDaily he is pleased the six employees were not seriously affected by the incident.

"The six EVOL employees taken to the hospital yesterday were evaluated, monitored and then sent home​," he said. "I want to thank the Boulder Fire & Police Departments for their fast response​."

Medics on the site tested a total of approximately 70 facility staffers at the scene but determined most did not require additional medical treatment.

Situation corrected​

Hughes added the carbon monoxide leak was addressed and corrected, and the Evol facility returned to operation the next day. The culprit for the leak: rechargeable batteries on forklifts used at the Evol Foods facility, which emit a certain amount of the gas while they are being recharged.

Evol Foods manufactures frozen burritos, quesadillas, meals, and other frozen food products. The firm is owned by Boulder Brands, a consumer packaged food company that also holds Earth Balance, Smart Balance, Udi’s Gluten Free, and Glutino.