Tyson Foods is actively addressing the COVID-19 pandemic as it impacts the company’s operations, according to CEO Noel White.
White issued a statement on April 6, regarding the company’s efforts to deal with the pandemic.
“We’re working hard to protect our team members during this ever-changing situation, while also ensuring we continue fulfilling our critical role of helping feed people across the country,” White stated.
“While these are challenging times, we remain committed to protecting our people while continuing to meet the needs of our customers and consumers across America.”
Positive cases prompt temporary closure of pork plant
While the company has not revealed how many of its team members have tested positive for the coronavirus, White, in his statement said one facility has had more than 24 confirmed cases.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we have suspended operations at our Columbus Junction, Iowa, pork plant this week due to more than two dozen cases of COVID-19 involving team members at the facility. In an effort to minimize the impact on our overall production, we’re diverting the livestock supply originally scheduled for delivery to Columbus Junction to some of our other pork plants in the region.
White did not elaborate on other facilities where workers may have tested positive for COVID-19, but he did state the company’s meat and poultry plants “are experiencing varying levels of production impact, due to the planned implementation of additional worker safety precautions and worker absenteeism.”
Precautions being taken
White says Tyson Foods has been taking the temperature of workers at all of the company’s locations before they enter company facilities. Tyson is mostly using temporal thermometers but at a few locations the company is beginning to implement infrared temperature scanners. In addition, White said, Tyson Foods has stepped up deep cleaning and sanitizing of its facilities, especially in employee breakrooms, locker rooms and other areas, to protect our team members.
“This additional cleaning sometimes requires suspending at least one day of production,” he said.
Tyson Foods, White said, is also coordinating with federal agencies to emphasize the need for personal protective equipment to support team members as Tyson Foods facilities remain open. For example, Tyson Foods is working to secure an adequate supply of protective face coverings for production workers and have implemented interim protocols for temporary protective coverings, while observing food safety.
Tyson Foods also continues to explore and implement additional ways to promote more social distancing in its plants. This includes erecting dividers between workstations or increasing the space between workers on the production floor, which can involve slowing production lines. The company is also creating more room in non-production areas. For example, at some locations, tents have been set up to create outdoor break rooms.
Other poultry companies in the United States to report that employees have tested positive for COVID-19 include Sanderson Farms, Mountaire Farms, Foster Farms, Perdue Farms, House of Raeford Farms, Wayne Farms and Empire Kosher Poultry.
View our continuing coverage of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.
