Elkhart penalizes Bimbo Bakeries $12,750 for severe FOG discharge violations

Elkhart penalizes Bimbo Bakeries $12,750 for severe FOG discharge violationsThe commercial bakery faced fines for missed monitoring and multiple fats, oils, and grease exceedances, prompting a review of sampling procedures and internal training.

The Elkhart Board of Public Works approved two penalties totaling $12,750 against Bimbo Bakeries for violating its industrial wastewater discharge consent order.

The facility recorded a FOG discharge of 5,140 mg/L on June 16, exceeding the city's 200 mg/L local limit by 2,470%.

A company representative attributed the extreme exceedance to potential sampler error during a non-flow event and noted that new photographic evidence requirements have been implemented for future sampling.

The Elkhart Board of Public Works in Indiana has levied $12,750 in penalties against Bimbo Bakeries following multiple violations of its fats, oils, and grease (FOG) consent order. Pretreatment Manager Steve Brown reported to the board that the facility failed to conduct a required weekly FOG monitoring event between June 28 and July 4, 2026. Under the terms of the consent order, the missed sampling generated a $1,750 fine, calculated at $250 per day for seven days of noncompliance. More significantly, the bakery's June 2026 self-monitoring report revealed five FOG exceedances against the city's local limit of 200 mg/L. The highest recorded discharge occurred on June 16 at 5,140 mg/L—2,470% above the allowable limit. Another sample taken later that same day registered at 2,560 mg/L. The facility's consent order permits one allowable FOG violation. The remaining four exceedances generated a $2,500 penalty each, plus an additional $250 for each instance that exceeded the local limit by more than 20%, totaling $11,000 in fines for the discharge violations. Shelly Tanner, representing Bimbo Bakeries, addressed the board during the meeting, attributing the missed samples to staff transitions and human error. Regarding the severe 5,140 mg/L exceedance, Tanner suggested it was likely a "sampler error" caused by an employee improperly collecting a sample against the pit walls during a no-flow event, rather than an accurate reflection of the facility's overall discharge quality. To prevent future issues, the bakery has implemented new best management practices, including requiring staff to take photographic evidence of samples at the time of collection to verify flow conditions. Brown noted that the bakery was proactive in notifying the city once the missed sampling was discovered, and the board unanimously approved the penalties.