KITCHENER, Ontario – Contrary to at least one Canadian radio station reporting that the Maple Leaf Foods plant on Courtland Avenue in Kitchener was closing Sept. 12, company officials say the plant remains open and in production.

Maple Leaf previously announced the eventual closing and decommissioning of the facility, but this is not expected to happen until later this year, the company added. The company relayed through a press release that it continues to work with the community and employees to support their transition to other employment. Approximately 600 people continue to work at the Courtland Avenue facility.

Toronto, Ontario-based Maple Leaf Foods is Canada's leading consumer packaged meats company. It manufactures products under the Maple Leaf, Maple Leaf Prime, Maple Leaf Natural Selections, Schneiders, Schneiders Country Naturals and Mina. It employs approximately 11,500 people in its operations across Canada and exports to more than 20 global markets including the US and Asia.