The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) has imposed a record-breaking $2 million fine on Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. for child labor violations. Following a two-year investigation, DLI found that Smithfield had employed 11 minors, some as young as 14, in hazardous roles within its facilities. The minors worked with dangerous machinery, chemicals, and equipment, often beyond permissible hours under state law.

Under a consent order with DLI, Smithfield will not only pay the penalty but also implement significant compliance measures. These include industry-wide outreach on child labor laws and stricter oversight of staffing and sanitation contractors to prevent future violations.

DLI Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach condemned the company’s practices, emphasizing the risks to young workers’ health and education. “This resolution sends a strong message that child labor violations will not be tolerated in Minnesota,” Blissenbach stated.

The case follows heightened scrutiny of child labor practices in meat processing, including recent penalties by the U.S. Department of Labor and new protective measures in Minnesota’s Child Labor Standards Act, which took effect on August 1, 2024.

UPDATE: Response from Smithfield Foods

Smithfield Foods released a statement on the settlement with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry:

“More than a year ago, on April 13, 2023, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) conducted an on-site inspection of Smithfield’s St. James, Minnesota, food production facility. Following this inspection, DLI claimed that Smithfield employed 11 underage individuals at the facility at some point between April 13, 2021 and April 13, 2023, and served Smithfield with a compliance order on July 26, 2023.

Smithfield contested DLI’s claims and denies that we knowingly hired anyone under the age of 18 to work in our St. James facility. 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.”

You can read the full statement from Smithfield Foods here.