Chick-Fil-A backtracks from its no-antibiotics-in-chicken pledge, blames projected supply shortages
The fast-food chain Chick-Fil-A backtracked from its decade-old “no antibiotics ever” pledge intended to help prevent human antibiotic resistance linked to the rampant use of the drugs in livestock production.
Firm that hired kids to clean meat plants keeps losing work
The slaughterhouse cleaning company that was found to be employing more than 100 children to help sanitize dangerous razor-sharp equipment has continued to lose contracts with the major meat producers since the investigation became public last fall.
Report: Trump officials, meat companies knew workers at risk
A new congressional report says that in the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, the meat processing industry worked closely with political appointees in the Trump administration to stave off health restrictions and keep slaughterhouses open even as COVID-19 spread rapidly among workers.
1 listeria death prompts Tyson to recall nearly 8.5 million pounds of chicken, USDA says
Tyson Foods Inc. has issued a recall for nearly 8.5 million pounds of frozen chicken products over listeria concerns after one person died as a result of eating contaminated poultry, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Judge rejects rule that let pork plants speed up production
A federal judge has thrown out a rule allowing pork plants to speed up production lines because the U.S. Department of Agriculture didnt properly consider the risks to workers before the rule was issued in 2019. Union officials praised Wednesday, March 31, 2021 ruling because they say faster line speeds at pork plants increase the risk of injuries for workers. – A federal judge has thrown out a rule allowing pork plants to speed up production lines because the U.S. Department of Agriculture didn't properly consider the risks to workers. Public Citizen attorney Adam Pulver, who represented the unions, said the agency should have considered worker safety. AdThe judge said her ruling won't take effect for 90 days to allow regulators time to determine how the change will affect plants that already switched to faster line speeds.
PepsiCo goes Beyond Meat in new partnership
PepsiCo is joining forces with Beyond Meat to develop new snacks and drinks made from plant-based proteins. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)PepsiCo and Beyond Meat are creating a joint venture to develop snacks and drinks made from plant-based proteins. The join venture gives Pepsi access to one of the leading plant-based meat companies at a time when consumers are increasingly cutting back on meat consumption and looking for healthier, more sustainable foods. Meat giant Tyson Foods, which used to own a stake in Beyond Meat, now has its own line of plant-based meats. U.S. sales of plant-based meat jumped 45% in the 52 weeks ending Jan. 16; traditional meat sales rose 19% in the same period, according to NielsenIQ, a data firm.
US plants hope to maintain production despite virus threat
But with the nation's COVID-19 death toll eclipsing 300,000 and the virus spiking in communities that surround the plants, industry and union officials say it may be impossible to keep the virus out of factories. Beef and pork production have both been running just below last year’s levels, Iowa State University agricultural economist Lee Schulz said. Gamble said much of the fear has come from misinformation about workers catching the virus in factories, which is not true. During the spring, more than 1,000 of the plant’s 2,800 workers were infected and at least six died. The company has lined up just-in-time freight to get parts to keep plants running, he said.
Smithfield temporarily shuts pork plant due to coronavirus
The Smithfield pork processing plant in Sioux Falls, S.D., is seen Wednesday, April 8, 2020, where health officials reported more than 80 employees have confirmed cases of the coronavirus (AP Photo/Stephen Groves)SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A Smithfield Foods pork processing plant in South Dakota will temporarily close for cleaning after more than 80 employees were confirmed to have the coronavirus, the company announced Thursday. Smithfield Foods plans to suspend operations in a large section of the Sioux Falls plant on Saturday, then completely close on Sunday and Monday. Smithfield Foods CEO Kenneth Sullivan said in a statement that the plant dishes out nearly 18 million servings of meat per day. “Inside Smithfield, workers are not feeling safe,” she said.