Smithfield Foods Settles $2 Million Child Labor Case in Minnesota

The settlement follows allegations of illegal employment of minors at a meat-processing plant in St. James.

Smithfield Foods will pay $2 million to resolve child labor allegations at its St. James, Minnesota plant.
An investigation found that 11 minors, aged 14 to 17, were employed in hazardous conditions from April 2021 to April 2023.
The company denies knowingly hiring underage workers, claiming false identification was used to pass federal checks.
The $2 million penalty is the largest in Minnesota's history for child labor violations and among the largest nationwide.
Smithfield has agreed to take steps to ensure future compliance with child labor laws, including industry presentations.