Nestlé Purina Faces Hefty Fine for Persistent Odor Violations at Denver Pet Food Plant

The ongoing battle between Nestlé Purina and nearby residents over the persistent odor issues at the company's pet food plant in Denver has taken a new turn. For the second time, the state's health department has cited the plant for violating odor standards, resulting in a ,000 fine. This latest development comes as residents have filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging that the unpleasant stench has diminished property values in the area.

Uncovering the Persistent Odor Challenges at Nestlé Purina's Denver Plant

Recurring Odor Violations and Enforcement Actions

The Nestlé Purina pet food plant in Denver has been operating in the area since the 1930s, but the ongoing odor issues have continued to plague the surrounding community. According to documents obtained by 9NEWS from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE), an inspector visited the plant in October 2023 and found that it had "failed to ensure" the number of odor contaminants did not exceed state standards. This violation resulted in a ,000 penalty against Nestlé Purina.This is not the first time the plant has faced enforcement action for odor violations. In 2022, the CDPHE found the plant in violation of odor standards, though state rules prevented any penalty for a first-time offense. In 2021, the City of Denver cited the plant for ,000 for failing to mitigate odor controls.

Residents' Ongoing Complaints and Legal Action

The persistent odor issues from the Nestlé Purina plant have continued to draw complaints from nearby residents, compelling more government enforcement. Two residents have filed a pending lawsuit against the company, alleging that the unpleasant stench has "diminished property values" in the area. The attorneys for the plaintiffs are attempting to establish class-action status for the case, which they claim could impact 2,000 households in the surrounding neighborhood.

Nestlé Purina's Response and Commitment to the Community

In response to the latest violation and penalty, Nestlé Purina has signed a "compliance order on consent" document, agreeing to continue working on following state air quality rules. The company has also provided a statement to 9NEWS, expressing its commitment to being a good neighbor in the Denver community."Purina is a proud member of the Denver community, and we've operated our York Street factory since 1930. Throughout this time, we have remained committed to being the best neighbor we can be, and that won't change," a Nestlé Purina spokesperson said.

Ongoing Efforts to Address Odor Concerns

Despite the recurring violations and legal challenges, Nestlé Purina appears to be taking steps to address the odor issues at its Denver plant. The company's agreement to the compliance order suggests a willingness to work with the state to bring the facility into compliance with air quality standards.However, the persistent nature of the odor complaints and the ongoing lawsuit indicate that more needs to be done to resolve the concerns of the surrounding community. As the company continues to operate in the area, it will likely face continued scrutiny and pressure to find a lasting solution to the odor problem.