Federal Investigation Targets Tyson Foods and Perdue Farms for Child Labor Violations

The Department of Labor (DOL) is conducting investigations into Perdue Farms and Tyson Foods following reports of alleged child labor and hazardous working conditions at their Virginia facilities. The New York Times Magazine had previously reported on the presence of children, including migrants, on contracted cleaning teams, who were reportedly exposed to caustic chemicals and had to handle discarded chicken parts. The DOL investigations were initiated after the publication of these reports. Both companies have stated their commitment to cooperating with the investigations and maintaining strict policies against employing underage workers. The cleaning service providers, Vincit Group's QSI and Fayette Industrial, are also reportedly under scrutiny.