Share this @internewscast.com

Monogram Meat Snacks, a maker of beef jerky, corndogs and other meat products, has paid more than $140,000 in penalties for employing at least 11 children at its meat-packing facility in Chandler, Minnesota, the U.S. Department of Labor said on Tuesday.

Monogram agreed to pay the civil fine as part of an investigation that began in March and in which investigators found the company employed five 17-year-olds, four 16-year-olds and two 15-year-olds in violation of federal child labor laws. Monogram makes private-label meat snacks, appetizers, assembled sandwiches, fully-cooked and raw bacon, corn dogs and other food products.

Nine of the children were found to be operating hazardous machinery at the processing plant, a subsidiary of Memphis, Tennessee-based Monogram Foods, which operates 13 facilities in seven states and employs more than 3,600 people. The case comes amid a surge in child labor violations this year, with critics pointing to weaker child labor laws in some states as well as an influx of unaccompanied minors crossing into the U.S. as an underlying cause. 

“No employer should ever jeopardize the safety of children by employing them to operate dangerous equipment,” Jessica Looman, the DOL’s Principal Deputy Wage and House Administrator, stated in a news release. 

Monogram told CBS MoneyWatch in an emailed statement that it has made changes to its policies and procedures that “make it significantly less likely this will occur again,” the spokesperson added. The company said it was “disappointed” that the DOL’s review of “hundreds of employees” found a small number of underage workers.

Under a provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act, Monogram is now prohibited from shipping snack foods including beef jerky and sausage, according to the DOL.

The investigation of Monogram is part of a federal effort to combat child labor announced earlier in the year. The DOL has found a 69% spike in children being employed illegally by companies since 2018. 

In July, federal regulators said nearly 4,500 children had been found to be working in violation of federal child labor laws during the prior 10 months. 

The work can prove fatal, as was the case of a 16-year-old who died in an incident at a poultry plant in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in July. 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

I Mistook My Tiredness for Normal Fatigue—Doctors Uncovered a Life-Threatening Heart Condition

At just 26, Rachel Freedman had the stamina of someone in their…

Uncover the Subtle Signs of Undiagnosed Dyslexia in Adults and Learn What to Do Next

Sue Kershaw, as one of 11 children, said that education in her…

AI Provides Innovative Solutions for Advancing MND Treatment Research

One in 300 of us will develop motor neurone disease in our…

Leading dermatologist issues urgent warning for those with acne: Popular treatment may cause permanent scarring

Popping an unsightly pimple before a big social event or work presentation may…

This popular morning beverage might not be as gut-friendly as you think – and it’s not coffee

Brits are being urged by health experts to reconsider their breakfast drink…

A Gut Specialist Alerts to a ‘Timebomb’ Cancer Risk Affecting Millions, and Shares a Simple Prevention Method

A gut health doctor has revealed a surprising cause of a deadly cancer on…

How to Identify If a Brown Skin Patch is Concerning and When to Consult a Doctor – Insights from Skin Specialist Aenone Harper-Machin

As the human body’s largest organ, it’s no surprise that an endless…

I’m a Cardiologist—Beware: This Trendy Diet Could Cause Heart Attacks in ‘Healthy’ 35-Year-Olds

People opting for the carnivore diet are risking a ‘ticking time bomb’…

5 Common Medications That Require Urgent Action to Prevent Heatwave Issues

An alert has been issued to anyone who takes five different kinds…

Tea May Enhance Heart Health, But Avoid This Additive, Study Reveals

A cuppa could be a surprising saviour, but Brits need to leave …

Travelers Advised to Take This Key Step Immediately Upon Hotel Check-In

Nothing beats some time away in another country, having a break from…