Smithfield Sued for Profiting From Covid Meat-Shortage Fears
- Advocacy group also cites Covid worker protection claims
- Meatpacking plants were early epicenters of the pandemic
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A consumer advocacy group is suing Smithfield Foods Inc. for allegedly fueling fears of a meat shortage during the pandemic to boost demand and prices for its products.
Food & Water Watch filed a lawsuit on June 16 in Washington, D.C., claiming Smithfield, the top U.S. pork producer, sought to drive up demand even as it had ample reserves in cold storage and increased exports, mostly to China. The lawsuit also alleges the company misled the public about safety measures for its workers.