EPA v. HOME MARKET FOODS

Case summary

On September 5, 2025, EPA issued an administrative order on consent ( AOC ) to Home Market Foods, Inc. The company uses anhydrous ammonia, an extremely hazardous substance, as a refrigerant to cool and freeze food at its meat products facility in Norwood, Mass. ( Norwood Facility ) and its cold storage warehouse in Norton, Mass. ( Norton Facility ). Home Market Foods failed, in its storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia, to comply with Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act and the risk management planning ( RMP ) regulations set forth at 40 C.F.R. Part 68 at both facilities. On December 19, 2022, an ammonia release occurred when contractors were installing a heater in the Norwood Facility's ammonia machinery room. The release killed one contract worker and injured another. EPA followed up with inspections of the Norwood and Norton Facilities, information requests, Notices of Violation for both facilities, and an administrative order for the Norwood Facility. To EPA's knowledge, most violations at both facilities have been resolved. This AOC for the Norton Facility corrects a few remaining compliance problems and requires an independent, third-party mechanical integrity inspection at both facilities. The Region has provided the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection with a copy of the AOC, but EPA directly implements the RMP regulations in Massachusetts.

Defendants (1)

• Home Market Foods, Inc.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• HOME MARKET FOODS INC

  380 SOUTH WORCESTER STREET, NORTON, MA, 02780

  Registry ID: 110000574646

• HOME MARKET FOODS INC

  380 SOUTH WORCESTER STREET, NORTON, MA, 02780

  Registry ID: 110000574646

Statutes cited

• CAA 112[R][7] — Prevention of Accidental Release/Risk Management Plans (RMPs)

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• HOME MARKET FOODSentered 2025-09-05

  Primary law: CAA

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2025-09-05Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2025-09-05Final Order Issued
• 2025-09-17Enforcement Action Data Entered