Pork processor Smithfield Foods fanned fears of a meat shortage during the pandemic and failed to adequately protect its workers from Covid-19 while fattening its profits, charged the consumer group Food & Water Watch in a lawsuit. Filed under the District of Columbia’s consumer protection law, the lawsuit asks for punitive damages and a court order for the meatpacker “to engage in corrective advertising to remedy its misrepresentations to District consumers.”
Coronavirus outbreaks slowed or temporarily shut down production at some of the largest U.S. slaughterhouses in spring 2020. President Trump signed an executive order “to ensure that meat and poultry processors continue operations,” overriding state officials worried about hot spots for the virus. The order told meat processors to follow non-binding CDC “guidance” to prevent spread of Covid-19, such as stationing workers six feet apart, if possible. Employees complained at the time that meat companies were slow to provide protective equipment.
“Corporations like Smithfield routinely choose profit over people,” said Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food and Water Watch.
In the lawsuit, the consumer group said “Smithfield has misrepresented to consumers that a countrywide meat shortage was imminent…Smithfield’s reassurances on workplace safety were likewise deceptive and misleading.” Smithfield defended its safety record in a statement to the New York Times.
The text of the lawsuit is available here.