Some Meatpackers Question New COVID-19 Safety Guidelines
4 years, 7 months ago

Some Meatpackers Question New COVID-19 Safety Guidelines

NPR  

Some Meatpackers Question New COVID-19 Safety Guidelines toggle caption Christina Stella/NET Radio Thousands of meatpacking workers across the country were recently ordered back to work in plants that have seen massive outbreaks of COVID-19. And while Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has promised the agency is "working round the clock" to implement OSHA's recent pandemic safety guidelines for meatpackers, many are concerned those policies don't go far enough to reduce the risk of transmission in plants nationwide. Business Meat Packers Question New COVID-19 Safety Guidelines Meat Packers Question New COVID-19 Safety Guidelines Listen · 4:18 4:18 Smithfield Foods recently issued a statement addressing "misinformation" around criticisms of the company's COVID-19 policies, including allegations of insufficient PPE for workers. Kays added the plant, which has no publicly known cases of COVID-19, has taken "significant steps" toward implementing safety measures per OSHA's guidelines and thus poses no obvious risk of "irreparable harm" to its employees.

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History of this topic

Meat industry made ‘baseless’ claims of Covid shortages to press Trump to keep plants open, report says
2 years, 7 months ago

Meat industry made ‘baseless’ claims of Covid shortages to press Trump to keep plants open, report says

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy American meat producers used “baseless” claims of potential meat shortages …

Smithfield Foods meatpackers approve new union contract
3 years, 6 months ago

Smithfield Foods meatpackers approve new union contract

Associated Press  

— The union representing workers at the Smithfield Foods plant in Sioux Falls said Friday its members have voted in favor of a new contract. Union leaders say the new contract sends a message to the meatpacking industry that companies need to recognize the sacrifices its employees made during the coronavirus pandemic. Motley, president of the Union Food and Commercial …

US lacks mandatory safety measures to protect meat workers from COVID-19: media
4 years, 3 months ago

US lacks mandatory safety measures to protect meat workers from COVID-19: media

China Daily  

Butchers at Old Fashion Country Butcher process meat as they work to meet increased demand due to COVID-19 related shortages on May 21, 2020 in Santa Paula, California. NEW YORK -- The United States "has yet to impose any mandatory safety measures" on meat plants to protect their workers from contracting COVID-19, issuing only voluntary guidelines, Bloomberg reported Monday. The …

Smithfield Foods pork plant faces OSHA fine from outbreak
4 years, 3 months ago

Smithfield Foods pork plant faces OSHA fine from outbreak

Associated Press  

— Federal regulators said Thursday they have cited Smithfield Foods for failing to protect employees from exposure to the coronavirus at the company’s Sioux Falls plant, an early hot spot for virus infections that hobbled American meatpacking plants. She blamed coronavirus infections in Sioux Falls for causing the outbreak at the plant Employees at the plant have said Smithfield did …

Meat packers 'forced to deny coronavirus symptoms', MPs call for answers
4 years, 5 months ago

Meat packers 'forced to deny coronavirus symptoms', MPs call for answers

Dutch News  

MPs are calling for an investigation into possible illegal practices concerning workers’ health at a meat packing plant in Helmond and are urging government action. Workers at Van Rooi Meat, one of the largest slaughterhouses in the Netherlands, told public broadcaster NOS that managers at the plant had urged them to tick the ‘healthy’ box on the daily declaration they …

Meat packers 'forced to deny coronavirus symptoms', MPs call for answers
4 years, 5 months ago

Meat packers 'forced to deny coronavirus symptoms', MPs call for answers

Dutch News  

MPs are calling for an investigation into possible illegal practices concerning workers’ health at a meat packing plant in Helmond and are urging government action. Workers at Van Rooi Meat, one of the largest slaughterhouses in the Netherlands, told public broadcaster NOS that managers at the plant had urged them to tick the ‘healthy’ box on the daily declaration they …

Coronavirus in Victoria shutdown of meat processors not a threat to meat supplies, industry says
4 years, 5 months ago

Coronavirus in Victoria shutdown of meat processors not a threat to meat supplies, industry says

ABC  

The shutdown of meat processors in Victoria because of COVID-19 cases among abattoir workers will not affect meat supplies for consumers, industry figures say. Key points: More than 300 cases of COVID-19 in Victoria are currently linked directly to outbreaks in meat processing plants Although there have been supply chain disruptions internationally due to abattoirs shutting, experts say Australia wouldn't …

German meat factory to resume work after coronavirus outbreak
4 years, 5 months ago

German meat factory to resume work after coronavirus outbreak

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Meat packing plants become the latest Covid-19 hotbeds
4 years, 6 months ago

Meat packing plants become the latest Covid-19 hotbeds

CNN  

Llangefni, Wales CNN — In the picturesque market town of Llangefni on the Welsh island of Anglesey, almost all the shops are closed and the town is empty amid the ongoing lockdown. There have been so many outbreaks in meat packing factories around the world that scientists are now examining whether the environment inside the plants could be part of …

Coronavirus: Why are there so many outbreaks at meat factories?
4 years, 6 months ago

Coronavirus: Why are there so many outbreaks at meat factories?

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Meat factories and slaughterhouses are locations where people are …

Dutch meat processing plant closed as 45 workers test positive for Covid-19
4 years, 7 months ago

Dutch meat processing plant closed as 45 workers test positive for Covid-19

Dutch News  

There are strong indications that coronavirus will lead to more slaughterhouse and meat factory closures in the Netherlands, FNV spokesman John Klijn has told the AD, following news of a second outbreak at a Vion plant in the south. The Groenlo plant, which processes organic pork, was closed on Wednesday after health and safety officials withdrew because of the coronavirus …

Dutch meat processing plant closed as 45 workers test positive for Covid-19
4 years, 7 months ago

Dutch meat processing plant closed as 45 workers test positive for Covid-19

Dutch News  

There are strong indications that coronavirus will lead to more slaughterhouse and meat factory closures in the Netherlands, FNV spokesman John Klijn has told the AD, following news of a second outbreak at a Vion plant in the south. The Groenlo plant, which processes organic pork, was closed on Wednesday after health and safety officials withdrew because of the coronavirus …

Covid Is Accelerating the Rise of Faux Meat
4 years, 7 months ago

Covid Is Accelerating the Rise of Faux Meat

Wired  

As with toilet paper and cleaning products, you probably didn’t fully appreciate meat until the coronavirus pandemic snatched it away. Companies like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat skip the livestock entirely: Their factories convert plant material into a striking imitation of real meat. For instance, a Beyond Meat spokesperson says that compared with a quarter-pound US beef burger, its same-sized …

Coronavirus: Iowa meatpacking plant reopens despite more than 1,000 cases among workers
4 years, 7 months ago

Coronavirus: Iowa meatpacking plant reopens despite more than 1,000 cases among workers

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Tyson Foods meatpacking …

Some meat plants reopen, but Trump order may not be cure-all
4 years, 8 months ago

Some meat plants reopen, but Trump order may not be cure-all

Associated Press  

— Signs Friday that several big meatpacking plants will soon reopen might appear to support President Donald Trump’s assertion that he had “solved their problems” in keeping grocery stores’ coolers stocked during the coronavirus crisis. A Smithfield Foods pork processing plant in South Dakota where more than 850 workers tested positive will partially reopen Monday after shuttering for more than …

Nearly 900 workers at Indiana meat plant test positive for coronavirus as food shortage fears grow
4 years, 8 months ago

Nearly 900 workers at Indiana meat plant test positive for coronavirus as food shortage fears grow

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The number of reported …

Meatpackers welcome Trump order; others question virus risks
4 years, 8 months ago

Meatpackers welcome Trump order; others question virus risks

Associated Press  

— Big meatpacking companies that have struggled to keep plants running during the coronavirus crisis said Wednesday that they welcomed President Donald Trump’s executive order requiring them to stay open, but unions, some employees and Democrats questioned whether workers could be kept safe. Trump, who consulted with industry leaders before issuing the order, said it would relieve “bottlenecks” that the …

Trump order keeping meat packing plants open worries unions
4 years, 8 months ago

Trump order keeping meat packing plants open worries unions

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump took executive action to order meat processing plants to stay open amid concerns over growing coronavirus cases and the impact on the nation’s food supply. Trump on Tuesday said the order would address what he described as a “legal roadblock.” It will “solve any liability problems where they had certain liability problems and we’ll be …

Workers Scared As Trump Orders Meat Plants To Open During Coronavirus Crisis
4 years, 8 months ago

Workers Scared As Trump Orders Meat Plants To Open During Coronavirus Crisis

NPR  

Workers Scared As Trump Orders Meat Plants To Open During Coronavirus Crisis Enlarge this image toggle caption David Zalubowski/AP David Zalubowski/AP President Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to keep meatpacking plants in the U.S. open during the coronavirus pandemic. The president's executive order to keep the plants open notes that some of the plant closures "may be inconsistent with" …

The real reason Trump treats meatpacking workers as disposable (opinion)
4 years, 8 months ago

The real reason Trump treats meatpacking workers as disposable (opinion)

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Raul A. Reyes is an attorney and a member of the USA Today board of contributors. Raul A. Reyes CNN Tuesday, he used the Defense Production Act to order meat and poultry processing plants to stay open, despite the coronavirus pandemic. “We’re working very hard,” Trump said, “to make sure our food supply chain is sound and plentiful.” …

Meat plant workers to Trump: Employees aren’t going to show up
4 years, 8 months ago

Meat plant workers to Trump: Employees aren’t going to show up

CNN  

New York CNN Business — Meat-processing plant workers are concerned about President Donald Trump’s executive order that compels plants to remain open during the coronavirus pandemic. “All I know is, this is crazy to me, because I can’t see all these people going back into work,” said Donald, who works at Tyson’s Waterloo, Iowa, facility. “We’re going to sign an …

Trump Orders Meatpacking Plants To Stay Open
4 years, 8 months ago

Trump Orders Meatpacking Plants To Stay Open

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING President Donald Trump has invoked the Defense Production Act to force meat processing plants operated by Tyson Foods and other major suppliers to stay open even as the coronavirus spreads among workers. The president’s executive order, signed Tuesday evening, hands oversight powers to the Department of Agriculture “to determine the proper nationwide priorities and allocation of all …

Coronavirus US: Meat shortages possible 'by end of the WEEK'
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus US: Meat shortages possible 'by end of the WEEK'

Daily Mail  

Grocery stores could see meat shortages by the end of this week, according to experts, after least 13 plant staff died from COVID-19 and 5,000 called out sick. Grocery stores could see meat shortages by the end of this week after least 13 plant staff died from COVID-19 and 5,000 called out sick. The chairman of Tyson Foods warned that …

Trump orders meat processing plants to stay open
4 years, 8 months ago

Trump orders meat processing plants to stay open

CNN  

Washington CNN — President Donald Trump signed an executive order under the Defense Production Act to compel meat processing plants to remain open amid the coronavirus pandemic. Tyson Foods spokesman Gary Mickelson wouldn’t comment on the order because the company had not seen it, but said: “We can tell you our top priority remains the safety our team members and …

Meat shortages may be coming at grocery stores soon. Here’s why
4 years, 8 months ago

Meat shortages may be coming at grocery stores soon. Here’s why

CNN  

New York CNN Business — The coronavirus pandemic is wreaking havoc on the supply chain, hitting everyone from farmers to automakers to retailers. “We definitely can see shortage of products in the grocery stores,” said Jeff Sindelar, an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences with an expertise in meat processing. There’s “no question” …

One of America’s biggest meat processors warns ‘the food supply chain is breaking’ in open letter
4 years, 8 months ago

One of America’s biggest meat processors warns ‘the food supply chain is breaking’ in open letter

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. John Tyson, the chairman of Tyson Food, says …

U.S. meat processing plants face huge challenge in curbing coronavirus spread
4 years, 8 months ago

U.S. meat processing plants face huge challenge in curbing coronavirus spread

LA Times  

Workers wear protective masks and stand between plastic dividers at Tyson Foods’ Camilla, Ga., poultry processing plant. The closures shouldn’t cause any immediate meat shortages or big price jumps at supermarkets, but as Purdue University economist Jason Lusk noted, “It’s a very fluid and volatile situation to keep an eye out for in the days to come.” Food Coronavirus puts …

Virus closes some meat plants, raising fears of shortages
4 years, 8 months ago

Virus closes some meat plants, raising fears of shortages

Associated Press  

— Some massive meat processing plants have closed at least temporarily because their workers were sickened by the new coronavirus, raising concerns that there could soon be shortages of beef, pork and poultry in supermarkets. Tyson, Cargill and other major meat processing companies say they are adopting several measures: taking the temperature of everyone entering plants, adding clear plastic shields …

Colorado meatpacking plant closed for coronavirus testing
4 years, 8 months ago

Colorado meatpacking plant closed for coronavirus testing

Associated Press  

DENVER — A major meatpacking plant in Colorado will be closed until April 24 while its owner, JBS USA, works with state and federal authorities to arrange coronavirus testing for its 5,000 workers, sanitize the plant and adopt other measures to combat the virus after at least two workers died, the company said Monday. Jared Polis told reporters he had …

U.S. Meat Supply Is 'Perilously Close' To A Shortage, CEO Warns
4 years, 8 months ago

U.S. Meat Supply Is 'Perilously Close' To A Shortage, CEO Warns

NPR  

U.S. Meat Supply Is 'Perilously Close' To A Shortage, CEO Warns Enlarge this image toggle caption Stephen Groves/AP Stephen Groves/AP Updated at 2:25 p.m. And the company's CEO warned that the coronavirus pandemic is pushing the nation's meat supply "perilously close" to the edge. Sponsor Message "The closure of this facility, combined with a growing list of other protein plants …

Meat Processing Plants Suspend Operations After Workers Fall Ill
4 years, 9 months ago

Meat Processing Plants Suspend Operations After Workers Fall Ill

NPR  

Meat Processing Plants Suspend Operations After Workers Fall Ill Enlarge this image toggle caption Ryan J. Foley/AP Ryan J. Foley/AP Several meat processing plants around the U.S. are sitting idle this week because workers have been infected with the coronavirus. Tyson Foods, one of the country's biggest meat processors, says it suspended operations at its pork plant in Columbus Junction, …

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