California burrito worker, 19, dies in meat grinder accident

A 19-year-old male worker at a well-known frozen burrito company in California died after falling into a meat grinder.

According to a report by Fox News, the Vernon Police Department said the victim, whose name has not been released, was part of the sanitation team at Tina’s Burritos. The facility is located along the 2600 block of Vernon Avenue.

The incident occurred Sunday evening at around 9:30 p.m. while the victim was cleaning an industrial food processor in the factory kitchen.

Authorities described it as a “fatal industrial accident,” noting that the machine unexpectedly turned on. The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the scene after receiving a call about an injured factory worker.

Co-workers said they heard cries for help, but it was already too late by the time emergency responders arrived.

The company expressed deep sorrow over the incident and the loss of one of its employees.

“We are heartbroken to confirm that a sanitation worker lost his life on Sunday night, 13 July 2025, while performing sanitation duties at our Vernon facility. He was cleaning an empty kettle that was being sanitized and prepped for the next day’s production run,” the company said in a statement.

Sgt. Daniel Onopa stated there were no indications of foul play. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health is expected to launch an investigation into the incident on Monday.