US Slaughterhouse Worker Tested Positive for COVID-19

Well, this was bound to happen. As many can take precautions, wash their hands and stay home, many workers in the United States cannot say the same. Sanderson Farms, one of the nation’s chicken producers, said on Monday, March 23, 2020, that one of their workers tested positive for COVID-19.

Sanderson Farms, Inc. confirmed that the worker was contained to a small processing table and according to Joe F. Sanderson, Jr, CEO, “upon learning of the case, we took a number of immediate steps to protect the health and safety of our employees.” The necessary steps have been taken to quarantine the workers that were in contact with the infected employee and those 6 are now at home on paid leave. With the proper steps being taken, Sanderson Farms plans to still operate as normal.

Farmers and traders alike are concerned with slaughterhouses shutting down if someone was infected with the virus. If this happens, the closure would remove the markets for the farmers, continue to drop the stock market, and leave the consumers in more of panic in bulk buying meat for stockpiles.

Sanderson Farms, Inc is a vertically integrated poultry company headquartered in Laurel, MS.  This means that the company is fully engaged with each process of the bird including, production, marketing, distributing fresh and frozen products across the country.   According to the Sanderson Farms company, they are the third-largest poultry producer in the country, with over 17,000 employees.

As the pandemic continues, Sanderson Farms will continue to ramp up production to help fill the gap from consumers buying out of fear.

With all of this being said, should the consumer worry about their meat being contaminated? No. The inspectors, USDA and the producer itself are doing everything they possibly can to help keep Americans healthy and safe during this time. Support your American ran businesses, purchase as you would normally, and remember that during this tragic time, farmers still need to feed America. And they can with your help!

Source: https://www.agweb.com/article/sanderson-farms-slaughterhouse-worker-tests-positive-covid-19

Source: Sanderson Farms, Inc.