A Pilgrim’s Pride poultry facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has been cited for alleged violations regarding odor conditions and maintenance requirements as set forth by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau.
The alleged violations took place on August 5 and August 10, reported News Channel 9.
According to paperwork obtained by Channel 9, an outer door to the facility was open, allowing the odor to spread outside. A fan that should have been used to control the odors was allegedly unplugged at the time. The paperwork further stated that there was a buildup of chicken litter in the area near where the chickens were staged, with the litter being packed 1 inch deep, 5 inches wide and 50 feet long.
A spokesperson for the air pollution control bureau said violations of such permit conditions would result in penalties of up to $25,000 per day, per violation, plus enforcement costs.
To address the alleged violations, Pilgrim’s Pride representatives will need to appear before the air pollution control director.
Pilgrim’s Pride is the second largest poultry producer in the United States. According to the WATTAgNet Top Poultry Companies Database, the company processed 156.02 million pounds of ready-to-cook chicken on a weekly basis in 2018.
The U.S.-based company has recently expanded its international presence, having acquired Northern Ireland-based Moy Park in 2017. In late August, Pilgrim’s Pride announced its intent to acquire Tulip Limited, a U.K. pork company, from Danish Crown.
