Smithfield Foods settles child labor violations for $2 million

Smithfield Foods has agreed to a $2 million settlement to resolve allegations of child labor law violations at its plant in St. James, Minnesota.

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry reported that the company’s subsidiary, Smithfield Packaged Meats, employed 11 minors, aged 14 to 17, from April 2021 to April 2023. Three of these children were hired at the age of 14. Investigators found that nine minors worked beyond legally permissible hours, and all 11 performed hazardous tasks prohibited for individuals younger than 18.

The settlement includes measures to prevent future violations. State Labor Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach emphasized that the agreement “sends a strong message” about the state’s commitment to eradicating child labor in industries like meat processing.

Smithfield denies knowingly hiring minors or admitting liability, asserting that all 11 individuals passed federal E-Verify screenings by using false identification.

“We have not admitted liability as part of this settlement; however, in the interest of preventing the distraction of prolonged litigation, we have agreed to settle this matter,” the company said in a statement. “Smithfield is committed to maintaining a safe workplace and complying with all applicable employment laws and regulations. We wholeheartedly agree that individuals under the age of 18 have no place working in meatpacking or processing facilities.”

The $2 million penalty is Minnesota’s largest child labor enforcement action to date and is among the more significant recent settlements nationwide. It follows a broader crackdown on child labor violations in the meatpacking industry.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Labor fined Packers Sanitation Services Inc. $1.5 million after uncovering over 100 minors working in hazardous roles at 13 facilities across the country. The Biden administration has since called on major meat processors to ensure compliance with child labor laws.

Other recent cases include a $300,000 settlement with Tony Downs Food Co. in Minnesota and a $165,000 settlement with Mar-Jac Poultry in Mississippi, following a workplace fatality involving a 16-year-old.

Smithfield stated it has intensified its efforts to prevent identity fraud and ensure adherence to employment laws. Measures include enhanced staff training, stricter oversight of third-party contractors, and additional visual screenings. The company also conducts regular audits and adheres to best practices outlined by the Meat Institute.

While denying culpability, Smithfield stressed its dedication to workplace safety and compliance. “We wholeheartedly agree that individuals under the age of 18 have no place working in meatpacking or processing facilities,” the company said.

As public scrutiny over child labor in hazardous industries grows, cases like this underscore the need for rigorous enforcement and industry-wide accountability.