Sara Lee Corp., Downers Grove, Ill.,  will exit the kosher meat business and close its kosher hot dog plant in Chicago on or before Jan. 30, 2009.
"The decision was made after careful consideration of our strategic, long-term plan, which focuses on categories where we have a strategic competitive advantage," said CJ Fraleigh, Sara Lee's chief operating officer-North America. "We value the contributions made by our employees and are working to help them prepare for the future by providing severance and outplacement assistance."
The move will eliminate as many as 185 jobs. Sara Lee said it plans to decommission the plant's equipment and sell the facility and property.