EPA v. Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc. CAA 113D1 Action For Penalty

Case summary

EPA filed with the Regional Hearing Clerk a Consent Agreement and Final Order memorializing a settlement for alleged violations of CAA 112(r)(1), General Duty Clause and CAA 112(r)(7) and 40 CFR Part 68, Risk Management Program rules and Section 312 of the EPCRA. Ajinomoto North America operates two facilities adjacent to each other in Eddyville, IA. Each facility had a release of extremely hazardous chemicals, one chemical release occurred in August 2021 and the other release occurred in September 2022. These releases resulted in shelter-in-place orders in Eddyville and surrounding industries located near the Ajinomoto facilities, road closures and the need for emergency responders to assist the facility. The company has proposed a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) that will add a water deluge and containment system that will help reduce the release of an extremely hazardous substance and add protection to employees, surrounding businesses, the community and first responders in the event of a release.

Defendants (1)

• Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• AJINOMOTO HEALTH & NUTRITION NORTH AMERICA, INC.

  1 AJINOMOTO DR, EDDYVILLE, IA, 52553

  Registry ID: 110072128759

• AHN NORTH AMERICA INC - HEARTLAND INGREDIENTS

  1116 IA-137, EDDYVILLE, IA, 52553-8526

  Registry ID: 110035869165

Statutes cited

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

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc. CAA 113D1 Action For Penaltyentered 2024-12-02

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $458,265 · SEP: $227,589

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2024-12-02Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2024-12-02Final Order Issued
• 2025-01-08Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2025-09-05Enforcement Action Closed