Man dies in fortune-cookie dough mixer

An accident at an Asian foods processing facility has taken the life of a 26-year-old plant worker.

The body of Oscar Barrera was found inside a fortune-cookie dough mixing machine at the Wonton Food facility in Houston, Texas. Houston police have not released details on what may have caused the fatal incident.

Gruesome discovery

Sgt. Warren Meeler, with the Homicide Division of the Houston Police Department, told FoodProductionDaily another Wonton Food employee discovered the body inside the industrial mixer.

No foul play is suspected in the case,” he said. “An autopsy will be performed by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.”

Company profile

Wonton Foods produces 4m fortune cookies a day in its New York city plant, but focuses on small batches of flavored and specialty cookies at the Houston facility. The company also makes noodles, wonton wrappers, and other Asian specialty foods.

According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), Wonton Foods' Houston facility has a clean safety record. Representatives of the company could not be reached for comment.