Peeps Maker Just Born Quality Confections Halts Production Due To Coronavirus
William Thomas CainGetty Images
The news around the COVID-19 outbreak is constantly changing, but information about food safety and how to keep yourself healthy is crucial right now. Here is a comprehensive list on the foods you should be stocking up on during this period of social distancing, as well as information about your local grocery stores’ changing hours, an explanation of “no-contact delivery,” and a guide on how to help your community and its businesses throughout closures.
Just Born Quality Confections, the candy maker that produces treats like Peeps, Mike and Ike, and Hot Tamales, has temporarily halted production amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
The candy company released a statement on its website this week announcing that it was temporarily suspending production at its Bethlehem and Philadelphia, PA, locations by no later than 6:30 a.m. tomorrow.
“As a third generation family owned business since 1923, the well-being of our associates, community, customers and business partners is of the utmost importance to us,” the statement on their website reads.
They also said that the closure is expected to last at least through April 7. The company was allowed to stay open during Pennsylvania’s closure of nonessential businesses but opted to close anyway, according to The Morning Call.
“We will take this opportunity to further clean and sanitize our production facilities, offices and corporate headquarters,” the statement said.
A Peeps & Company Store, also located in Pennsylvania, has been closed since March 17 and office employees from Just Born’s corporate headquarters have been working remotely since March 18: “All associates will continue to be paid throughout this time period,” the company confirmed.
This time of year is obviously a big one for the candy maker, but Just Born confirmed all Peeps products have been shipped to retailers ahead of the Easter holiday, so there should not be any shortages. Just Born confirmed that it does have a backlog of its other products but some stores “may experience out of stocks on several individual items.”