First Major U.S. Meat Processor Faces Fine Because of Virus

The U.S. Labor Department announced that it cited Smithfield Foods for failure to keep employees safe from COVID-19. Smithfield is facing the maximum fine by law of $13,494, which the company can fight. This fine was proposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). They said that Smithfield Packaged Meats Corporation in Sioux Falls, South Dakota was “failing to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that can cause death or serious harm.” Smithfield had about 1,300 employees test positive for COVID-19 and four deaths related to the virus.