The Liverpool factory joined Associated Biscuits in 1960, which was purchased by Nabisco in 1982.

The only significant changes came with the outbreak of war, when the Liverpool factory was converted to produce armaments.

This year, the Liverpool factory is operating at reduced capacity, but another Chiron flu vaccine factory in Germany has been closed because of contamination.

The following year, British regulators shut the Liverpool factory because of contamination, causing a big flu shot shortage in the United States.

The suspension of Chiron's license to make influenza vaccine at its Liverpool factory caught American health officials by surprise.

Matchbox also bought the Dinky Toys name, long after the Liverpool factory was closed.

It was initially produced at the Speke, Liverpool factory, moving to Canley, Coventry in 1978 and then finally to the Rover Solihull plant in 1980.

Many parts were introduced since the Liverpool factory closed under the French-and-Japanese running of the company.

The International Society of Meccanomen was founded in 1989 in England, nine years after the Liverpool factory closed.

F.D.A. inspectors are now at the Liverpool factory and Dr. Crawford said he expected a report this week.