/PRNewswire/ New analysis of independent data for 2020 show that reported new COVID-19 infection rates amongst meat and poultry workers were five times.
Food and ag groups also seek partnership in vaccinations for essential workers.
In the recently passed COVID-19 assistance package, Congress provided no less than $1.5 billion to fund purchases of food for distribution to those in need, and to provide worker protection measures, and retooling support for farmers, farmers markets and food processors, with the flexibility to spend additional funds to address COVID-19-related needs in the food supply chain. While another round of $1.5 billion has been promised for the food box program, USDA has yet to commit additional funds to protect workers and ensure the continuity of the food supply chain, causing those on Capitol Hill to ask for immediate prioritization.
COVID-19 deaths go uninvestigated as OSHA takes a hands-off approach to meatpacking plants
OSHA has not inspected 26 out of the 65 meatpacking plants where reporters found at least one worker died of COVID-19.
By Kyle Bagenstose, Sky Chadde and Rachel Axon, USA TODAY
Published
10:54 pm UTC Jan. 26, 2021
Normally, a workplace death in the United States is met with a swift and thorough response.
By law, employers must report a death within eight hours to the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration. An inspector from OSHA typically arrives within a day to interview workers, review the site of the incident and determine whether the death resulted from unsafe conditions.
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Most consumers don t associate sustainability with meat processing. However, sustainability is the mission of OSI Group, an Illinois-based conglomerate of meat processors that operates 65 facilities in 17 countries. According to OSI Group s website, the company s overall sustainability goal is to maintain a positive and sustainable relationship with the people, the communities and the environments we contact. We work to responsibly manage our business within the social, economic and environmental frameworks in which we operate while continually exploring ways to improve our sustainability impact.
Those are some pretty ambitious and lofty statements. However, this company is not just talking the talk. OSI Group applies sustainability best practices in all aspects of its work. For example, the company treats all animals respectfully and promotes good antibiotic stewardship, uses natural resources responsibly and helps to reduce risk of climate change by mitigating greenhous