Thousands of Gallons of Molasses Invade Inner Harbor

A chemical reaction last week led to an overflow at a Baltimore feed products facility, spilling an estimated 5,000 gallons of molasses into the Inner Harbor. The incident at Westway Feed Products LLC occurred on October 17. The overflow was attributed to a 'Maillard reaction,' a chemical process where sugars and amino acids interact, causing the molasses to bubble and expand.

During the incident, the molasses tank was found to be actively releasing hot, pressurized contents. The spill site was located near a protected waterbody designated for aquatic life, shellfish harvesting, and recreation. However, inspections by the Maryland Department of Environment revealed no dead fish or immediate adverse aquatic impacts. Cleanup efforts included sand barriers, a floating boom, and vacuum trucks.

Westway Feed Products stated that the release was quickly contained and authorities were immediately notified. The company is cooperating with authorities on a remediation plan and has transferred molasses to a larger tank. Air monitoring detected no known hazards to the environment or surrounding community.