June 30, 2006—In a settlement to reduce the release of ozone-depleting refrigerants into the atmosphere, a Chicago-based national baking company has agreed to stop using ozone-depleting refrigerants, the Justice Department and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced recently.
Newly Weds Foods, Inc., will take steps to prevent the continued release of refrigerants such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons, or “HCFCs,” that destroy stratospheric ozone, says EPA. Newly Weds will retrofit or retire all of its
39 industrial refrigeration equipment systems in the US that are designed to hold more than 50 pounds of HCFCs with systems that use only non-ozone-depleting refrigerants by July 1, 2008.
This agreement—the third national settlement with an industrial bakery company—resolves a complaint alleging that Newly Weds violated EPA regulations regarding industrial refrigerant leak repair, testing, record keeping, and reporting.
The company will also pay a civil penalty of $125,000 for the alleged past leaks.
Newly Weds makes breading, frozen ice cream cakes, and other baked goods, as well as seasonings, batter, and capsicums. The company owns and operates equipment that contains 39 industrial refrigeration systems at its eight facilities in the US, located in Chicago, IL; Watertown, MA; Cleveland, TN; Gerald, MO; Horn Lake, MI; Bethlehem, PA; Springdale, AR; and Modesto, CA.
