Panda Express agreed to pay $1 million to settle a lawsuit alleging it failed to train its employees on how to operate its soda machines.
The parent company of the Rosemead-based Chinese-American fast-casual chain had to pay a fine for failing to educate its employees about managing carbon dioxide used in carbonated beverage systems.
The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Carbon dioxide is typically stored in tanks and is widely used in restaurants. California's hazardous materials law requires that employees receive training on the storage and handling of carbon dioxide. Leaks that displace oxygen can cause serious injury or even death.
Restaurants must certify employees and file reports with local regulators confirming such training.
He lawsuit was filed after an investigation by Riverside County alleged Panda Express failed to train its restaurant staff on safe handling of carbon dioxide and failed to disclose employee training information as required by state law.
Panda Express, the creator of the orange chickenoperates more than 500 locations in California, including 30 in Riverside County.
“We don't see many of these violations, so I would assume this would be a wake-up call for restaurants in general,” said Richard Shank, senior director at Technomic, a research and consulting firm for the food service industry. “Beverage stations are typically rented from a beverage supplier and maintained by third parties, including CO2, so this may have identified a gap in training that Panda was unaware of.”
“Panda's work culture is based on a strong training foundation,” he added, “so I am inclined to believe that this agreement possibly identifies the need to clarify the roles between the beverage supplier and the restaurants.”
The Riverside County District Attorney's Office said the settlement was reached after Panda Express took steps to comply with California law regarding training and updating training reports and records.
Panda Express has been ordered to pay $881,925 in civil penalties, $100,000 in supplemental environmental projects and $75,000 in cost reimbursement.
