Response to the COVID-19 Threat
Butter Buds Inc. plans to continue our role in the nation’s vital food supply and continue to produce safe, high-quality products. We value your business partnership during this difficult time as we move through the fluid and rapidly-evolving situation of coronavirus, or COVID-19. The Department of Homeland Security has now deemed food manufacturers a “Critical Infrastructure Industry”. With this in mind, we would like to share with you many of the steps that we have put into place to address the concerns that have come from this global threat.
Our internal efforts to limit the risk of COVID-19
Butter Buds has increased the frequency of sanitizing its facility and is ensuring that all of our good manufacturing practices are followed, including monitoring hand washing and the use of hand sanitizers by all staff. We have instructed all staff to report any sign of self-illness or illness of others in the workplace. Daily temperature checks of our staff are being performed. Any employee with a temperature of 100.4 or greater will be sent home.
In addition, our team is following the guidelines in the CDC Risk Assessment Level for COVID-19. These guidelines are reviewed daily and our policies and procedures will be updated as the situation evolves.
Training and communication regarding the COVID-19 virus has been provided to all employees. We will keep our employees abreast to any changing conditions.
We have restricted all visitors to our facilities and banned travel for our employees.
We have transitioned many of our employees to work remotely from their homes. This includes our procurement, customer service, administration and sales teams. This has allowed us to limit the interaction of our production workers with other individuals to further reduce exposure.
We have reviewed and updated our business continuity plans and will continue to do so as this situation evolves.
We are running at full capacity and are maximizing our production output.
What if an Employee becomes Infected?
This virus, like other viruses, is being transmitted via direct or indirect person-to-person contact. Frequent hand-washing and the use of hand sanitizers, along with social distancing are key to limiting both contracting and transmitting the virus.
If someone in our workforce is showing signs of illness or suspects they may have been exposed to the COVID-19 Virus, they have been instructed to remain out of the workplace. If they become ill they have been instructed to self-isolate and seek medical attention if necessary.
What is the impact on our Supply Chain?
We are actively working with the current approved vendors to make sure that they are also not going to be significantly impacted by any interruptions. Butter Buds has increased the inventory levels of ingredients and packaging for any that may pose an interruption to our supply chain.
We look forward to your continued partnership during this challenging time so that we can assist in feeding our nation, as well as other countries around the world. Please be assured that we are taking necessary steps to minimize the risk of disruption to our valued customers.
Is the Food Safe?
The current evidence shows that the COVID-19 is not being transmitted via food, much like other viruses.
A letter of guarantee will be provided upon request.
Addendum: April 15, 2020
Effective this date, all employees who work in the Butter Buds facilities are required to wear a mask while in the buildings.
Sincerely,
John L. Buhler
President
