Meat/Poultry Inspection

Safe Food Coalition Asks USDA for Action to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in Meat and Poultry Plants, Halt to Line Speed Waivers

Consumer Federation of America joined members of the Safe Food Coalition in urging Under Secretary for Food Safety Mindy Brashears to take immediate action to reduce COVID-19 infection risk in the nation’s meatpacking facilities, including by suspending the grant of line speed waivers. USDA has announced 16 such waivers in April, more than were granted in the previous twelve months combined. One waiver actually went to a plant that was in the midst of an outbreak. The Coalition’s letter urges USDA to direct plants to slow down line speeds to reduce worker crowding, and to take other measures to safeguard the health of government inspectors and the workers alongside them.