AB Mauri Calgary: 75 Years & Counting

Our Business & Our Values.

For more than 75 years, Fleischman’s Yeast has been producing yeast for commercial bakeries at its current location in Inglewood in Calgary, Canada. This facility has gone by many names, starting as Standard Brands in 1947, transitioning to Nabisco in the 1980s, moving to Burns Philp in 1988 before being purchased by AB Mauri in 2004.

Despite all of the changes, one thing has remained the same: AB Mauri Calgary has safely produced Fleishmann’s Yeast for more than 75 years. While the facility has done this, its nearby community has grown from a small manufacturing area to the diverse industrial and residential community it is today. As a company, AB Mauri Calgary has a key focus on being a good neighbor in the local community. As part of this commitment, the company continually monitors its operation to ensure that it is not posing any risks to its neighbors or the environment.

Environmental Emergency (E2) Regulations

The Government of Canada has updated its Environmental Emergency (E2) Regulations requiring facilities storing specific quantities of certain substances to notify members of the public who might be impacted by a serious chemical emergency. The substances identified in the E2 Regulations that are utilized at AB Mauri Calgary are aqua ammonia 30% and hydrochloric acid 35%. As part of a commitment to keep the local community safe, AB Mauri Calgary is compliant with the E2 Regulations.

Safe Use of Aqua Ammonia & Hydrochloric Acid at the Plant

Aqua ammonia 30% and hydrochloric acid 35% are both corrosive substances that are used in the fermentation process. In the plant’s recorded history, aqua ammonia and hydrochloric acid have been used safely at the Calgary facility, which has never had a release that required public notification or evacuation.

Potential Impacts of the Substances

Aqua ammonia 30% is a colorless liquid with a strong odor. In the unlikely event of an environmental emergency, exposure to high concentrations of aqua ammonia in the air can cause a burning of the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract and may result in blindness, lung damage or even loss of life. Hydrochloric acid 35% is also a colorless liquid. It is corrosive to the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. In the unlikely event of an environmental emergency, inhalation at high concentrations can cause respiratory distress or be life threatening. Additionally, these two substances could potentially have an adverse impact to wildlife and aquatic species, depending on the type of substance and extent of a release.

Prevention & Mitigation

The best response to any emergency is prevention. This contributes to why AB Mauri Calgary has robust safety procedures and stringent management standards – including regular inspection and maintenance – in order to prevent a significant release or serious chemical emergency. The substances listed above are transported by tanker truck and unloaded at the facility by using a positive pressure displacement pump. This transfer process is continually monitored by personnel in full chemical suits who are prepared to intervene in the case of an unintended release. Further, air displaced from tanks is filtered through a water scrubber to protect the surrounding area. Also, AB Mauri Calgary does not have storm drains inside the plant property’s fence line, while the site’s unloading area is a sealed containment to limit the exposure area. AB Mauri Calgary has detailed unloading procedures and emergency response plans to protect the facility and surrounding communities, and these plans are reviewed annually for effectiveness, while employees are trained at least annually on all policies and procedures.

What Should You Do If An Emergency Occurs?

If a significant release of one of these substances occurs, Initial communication regarding any environmental emergency will come from the AB Mauri Calgary to the City of Calgary’s Emergency Response team. Notification methods to the public will depend upon the event and may include in-person, local radio and/or social media communication as well as direction provide by local emergency responders.