Fresh Express to pay $280,000 for exposing dozens of employees to “noxious bleach odors”

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- The Monterey County District Attorney's Office announced Fresh Express has agreed to pay $280,000 for exposing over 80 employees to harmful bleach odors.

According to the D.A., the incident happened over the course of a month in early 2020.

During that time, more than 80 employees reported having symptoms consistent with being exposed to the strong chlorine-like smell from the use of sodium hypochlorite.

Reported symptoms from employees at the facility on 900 E. Blanco Road in Salinas included coughing, eye irritation, blurred vision and chest pain among others.

The D.A. said Fresh Express later found "equipment leaks and calibration of its sodium hypochlorite injection system in its produce washing system" was causing the symptoms.

According to the D.A., Fresh Express has since brought their equipment to code and they're now in "good working order."