COLD SPRING — Twenty-six people were hospitalized Friday, June 6, following a chemical spill at the Pilgrim’s Pride meat packing plant in Cold Spring, according to a news release from the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office.
“We can confirm CentraCare — St. Cloud Hospital has received several patients from an incident in the community and all are currently being evaluated,” Karna Fronden, a CentraCare spokesperson, told St. Cloud LIVE in a statement. "None of the injuries appear to be life-threatening."
The Cold Spring/Richmond Police Department and Cold Spring Fire and Rescue responded to a report of spilled peracetic acid at Pilgrim’s Pride at 8:15 a.m. on Friday, June 6, according to the Stearns County Sheriff's Office news release. The spill has been contained within the planted, law enforcement said.
Peracetic acid is a powerful oxidizer and disinfectant, primarily used in food processing, healthcare, and water treatment, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
The facility, at 851 Sauk River Road in Cold Spring, was evacuated by the time first responders arrived at the scene, according to the county news release.