Food Distributor Settles for $1.1 Million Following Fatal Ammonia Leak Incident

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a significant civil penalty settlement of $1.1 million with Home Market Foods, a wholesale food and snack distributor based in Massachusetts. This settlement stems from violations of the federal Clean Air Act (CAA) related to chemical safety at the company’s food processing plant in Norwood and its cold storage warehouse in Norton.

According to the EPA, the violations primarily involved the safe handling of anhydrous ammonia, a hazardous chemical commonly used for cooling and refrigeration purposes. The enforcement action was prompted by a tragic incident that occurred on December 19, 2022, at the Norwood facility. During maintenance work near refrigeration machinery, an accidental release of anhydrous ammonia took place, resulting in the death of one contractor and serious injuries to another.

Following the incident, the EPA conducted inspections of both facilities and reviewed the company’s risk management program. The findings revealed that Home Market Foods had failed to comply with several of the CAA’s accident prevention requirements. Additionally, the company did not promptly report the December 2022 chemical release, nor did it report another ammonia release that occurred in 2024 to the appropriate federal authorities.

In response to these violations, the EPA noted that Home Market Foods has since implemented significant safety improvements at both facilities. The company has completed various safety enhancements under compliance orders issued in 2024 and 2025. Notably, the 2025 order mandates that Home Market Foods engage an independent expert to assess the condition and safety of critical refrigeration systems at both locations.

Home Market Foods is known for its popular products, which include Cooked Perfect meatballs, Eisenberg hot dogs and sausages, and RollerBites, often found in convenience stores. The company’s commitment to improving safety standards is crucial not only for regulatory compliance but also for the well-being of its employees and the communities it serves.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a significant civil penalty settlement of $1.1 million with Home Market Foods, a wholesale food and snack distributor based in Massachusetts. This settlement stems from violations of the federal Clean Air Act (CAA) related to chemical safety at the company’s food processing plant in Norwood and its cold storage warehouse in Norton.

According to the EPA, the violations primarily involved the safe handling of anhydrous ammonia, a hazardous chemical commonly used for cooling and refrigeration purposes. The enforcement action was prompted by a tragic incident that occurred on December 19, 2022, at the Norwood facility. During maintenance work near refrigeration machinery, an accidental release of anhydrous ammonia took place, resulting in the death of one contractor and serious injuries to another.

Following the incident, the EPA conducted inspections of both facilities and reviewed the company’s risk management program. The findings revealed that Home Market Foods had failed to comply with several of the CAA’s accident prevention requirements. Additionally, the company did not promptly report the December 2022 chemical release, nor did it report another ammonia release that occurred in 2024 to the appropriate federal authorities.

In response to these violations, the EPA noted that Home Market Foods has since implemented significant safety improvements at both facilities. The company has completed various safety enhancements under compliance orders issued in 2024 and 2025. Notably, the 2025 order mandates that Home Market Foods engage an independent expert to assess the condition and safety of critical refrigeration systems at both locations.

Home Market Foods is known for its popular products, which include Cooked Perfect meatballs, Eisenberg hot dogs and sausages, and RollerBites, often found in convenience stores. The company’s commitment to improving safety standards is crucial not only for regulatory compliance but also for the well-being of its employees and the communities it serves.