Smithfield Fined $2M for Child Labor Violations in Minnesota

Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. has agreed to pay a $2 million fine for alleged child labor violations at its St. James, Minnesota plant, marking the largest penalty ever recovered by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. The investigation found that at least 11 minors, aged 14-17, were employed in hazardous conditions, violating state labor laws. While Smithfield disputes the allegations, claiming the minors used fake IDs, the company has agreed to settle to avoid prolonged litigation and will implement measures to ensure future compliance.