Flamin’ Hot Cheetos may be tasty to eat but they’re not a fun time for factory workers. Employees at a chip factory in Australia have complained that “Flamin’ Hot” seasoning is affecting their health.
The United Workers Union (UWU) has filed a complaint with the workplace health and safety regulator after interviewing staff at the Smith’s Snackfood Company factory in Adelaide, Australia. The employees raised “significant safety concerns” regarding the “improper handling of strongly irritating substances.”
The “Flamin’ Hot” seasoning used for Doritos and Cheetos products has caused several adverse effects including sneezing, coughing, eye and skin irritation, and breathing difficulties. UWU said that when speaking to 13 workers during one shift, 11 reported negative effects from the seasoning.
PepsiCo, which owns the factory, said that safety procedures are followed when producing products that include spicy seasoning. Additional extraction fans are now being installed at the factory as the company wants to work with the union to help minimize any concerns.
A spokesperson for the firm added: “We follow a number of safety procedures and protocols when producing products that include spicy seasoning. To further enhance these measures at our Adelaide site there is mandatory mask-wearing during production of this product and we are installing additional extraction fans.
“We are committed to working with our people and the union to address any further concerns.”