House of Raeford Farms confirmed that “a limited number of associates” at its operations in Louisiana tested positive for COVID-19.
However, out of privacy concerns, the company did not disclose any further details concerning those workers.
According to a statement from the company, local and/or state health officials provided guidance on how to inform potentially exposed employees and the proper healthcare procedures they should take.
Precautions being taken as operations continue
At the present time, operations are continuing as normal at all locations, as the company is part of a Critical Infrastructure Industry as defined by the Department of Homeland Security. The company said it has a special responsibility to maintain its work schedules and continuing to provide chicken for the food supply of the United States.
However, special precautions are being taken, and the company says it will continue to maintain high standards of food safety in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“Our greatest concern is to provide protection for our associates and growers. House of Raeford has implemented COVID-19 protocol at all its locations following CDC guidelines,” House of Raeford stated.
“Company safety and health personnel received training from outside healthcare professionals to identify employees with symptoms of COVID-19. Due to the nature of most of our jobs, employees must be on-site. Therefore, continued monitoring of the situation is critical so that we integrate necessary changes in a timely manner.”
The company’s policies concerning COVID-19 are posted on the House of Raeford Farms website.
House of Raeford Farms in 2019 announced it was investing its Louisiana operations, including a new feed mill in Simsboro, and upgrades to the hatchery in Gibsland and the poultry processing plant in Arcadia.
According to the WATTAgNet Top Poultry Companies Database, House of Raeford is the 11th largest broiler company in the United States. In 2019, it produced 27.52 million pounds of ready-to-cook chicken on a weekly basis.
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