This study is intended to help the FDA and the local growing community better understand the source of pathogens, their persistence, and how they transfer through the growing environment to help inform food safety practices.
Once operational, the 284,000-sq.-ft. plant will produce cocoa-free chocolate, nut-free spreads and bean-free coffee, and it will have the capacity to make 10,000 metric tons of cocoa-free chocolate annually.
Shamrock Farms is investing $59 million into the project, which includes adding additional equipment, cold storage space and a new production filling line.
The expansion will enable the company to increase its capacity to process and store excess food, handle repackaged goods and increase the number of trucks loading inventory.