Sugar Beet Plant Closed for Inspection After Worker Death

The Western Sugar Cooperative has shut down its sugar beet processing plant in Lovell, Wyo., while federal and state regulators inspect the facility following a fatal accident. Worker Anfesa Galaktionoff died Jan. 4 after she fell into a piece of equipment that carries sugar beets into the factory.

LOVELL, Wyo. (AP) β€” The Western Sugar Cooperative has shut down its sugar beet processing plant in Lovell while federal and state regulators inspect the facility following a fatal accident.

Twenty-eight-year-old worker Anfesa Galaktionoff died Jan. 4 after she apparently fell into a piece of equipment that carries sugar beets into the factory.

The Powell Tribune reports the sugar refinery resumed operations Jan 5. Then on Friday, the plant shut down again for an inspection led by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Wyoming Department of Agriculture spokesman Derek Grant says the inspectors are making sure the plant is cleaned and operating correctly.

He says the sugar produced since the accident is on hold as part of the inspection.

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Information from: Powell (Wyo.) Tribune, http://www.powelltribune.com

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