"Breaking the Chains: Ending Child Labor in the Food Industry"
History of Child Labor in Meat Plants
Last year, federal penalties totaling $1.5 million were imposed on 13 meat plants contracting with Packers Sanitation Services Inc. in eight states for employing children in critical food safety jobs. This incident set off a chain of events that exposed the deep-rooted problem of child labor in the food industry. Many of these children were tasked with cleaning dangerous equipment, putting their safety at risk.
For instance, at the Sioux City Pork Processing plant, 11 children were involved in the latest violations. Qvest LLC had to pay $171,000 in fines. Another contractor at Seaboard Triumph Foods LLC in Sioux City also employed children for dangerous work. The U.S. Department of Labor found that a second sanitation contractor at the Seaboard Triumph Foods LLC facility employed children during overnight shifts.
Legal Consequences and Remedies
Under a consent order and judgment approved by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa on Nov. 27, 2024, Qvest LLC was ordered to pay $171,919 in child labor civil money penalties. The company was also required to hire a third party to review and implement policies to prevent child labor and establish a reporting process.
For example, the judgment followed an investigation by the department's Wage and Hour Division, which found that the Guymon, OK, sanitation contractor employed 11 children to clean dangerous equipment at the Seaboard Triumph Foods facility from 2019 to 2023. After a change in sanitation contractors, similar issues persisted. Federal law strictly forbids children under 18 from being employed in dangerous jobs in meat and poultry operations.
Efforts to Combat Child Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to ending illegal child labor. Regional Solicitor Christine Z. Heri emphasized this, stating that they are using all strategies to stop and prevent unlawful child labor and hold employers responsible. In addition to penalties, the consent order requires Qvest to take several actions, such as hiring a compliance specialist and providing training.
Wage and Hour Midwest Regional Administrator Michael Lazzeri pointed out that despite changing contractors, children continued to work illegally at the Sioux City facility. In fiscal year 2024, the division concluded 736 investigations, uncovering child labor violations affecting 4,030 children and assessing over $15.1 million in penalties, a significant increase from 2023.
Volunteers at St. Vincent De Paul Divine Mercy Food Pantry
The dedicated volunteers with the St. Vincent De Paul Divine Mercy Food Pantry are hard at work, getting ready to distribute box after box and cart after cart of food. Their bi-weekly food distribution in Merritt Island is a lifeline for those struggling to afford their meals. Neighbors patiently wait in their cars for hours, knowing that this distribution will provide them with essential staples.As Kathy Cosmano said, "They give you a variety of stuff. It’s like fruits and vegetables, then you’ll get some meat. It’s definitely staples that actually come in very handy. I really, really don’t know what we would do without it." Many others share the same sentiment. Dan Duggan remarked, "I’m on social security and my last two weeks, you know, this helps out a lot. Vegetables, you get some meats, and they’ll throw in a pie here or there, which I’m alright with." Deena Sloan also expressed her gratitude, saying, "I just retired last year and this has made a big difference on my grocery bill. It makes me be able to cook meat with every meal without having to take money away from my bill money. If I didn’t have it, I don’t know how I would make it."The Bowlers and Their Work
Lonny and Tom Bowler run the pantry. They are snowbirds who made Merritt Island their home full-time seven years ago. Lonny Bowler saw the potential of the pantry as a social place. He would see people coming and going, giving him the opportunity to interact with others throughout the day. This has created a whole new community for them.Partnering with the Second Harvest Food Bank, the Bowlers and their St. Vincent De Paul team have transformed the pantry. From being just a place with cans and boxed goods, it has become a bustling operation. Lonny Bowler expressed his gratitude, saying, "They’ve made everything possible. We’re so grateful to Second Harvest."Home Delivery Program and Its Impact
The pantry also has a home delivery program to assist neighbors who are unable to make it to the church. Tamara O’Quinn is one such neighbor. The St. Vincent De Paul volunteers visit her twice a month. As O’Quinn said, "God sends his angels, which are these guys. They come in and talk to me and stuff, otherwise, I would never get talked to. I don’t know if they really know how much this means to me, cause it does."This need for support is evident among families. As Lonny Bowler explained, "This need for support that families have, we have many that will say ‘If I can get the food from you, then I don’t have to pay for as much food then maybe I can pay the electric bill, maybe I can pay the water bill, maybe I can put it towards the rent.' It’s that close for them."Through the bi-monthly food deliveries and distributions, this Merritt Island Pantry is able to help more than 700 families a month. Much of this is made possible through the Second Harvest Food Bank and the dedication of these volunteers. As Tom Bowler said, "It doesn’t ever seem like work because in the back of your mind, you’re doing it for someone who might be a little less fortunate than we have been in our lives. It’s really meaningful to us."Unlock the Potential of Food Ingredients with Andy Muller
Background and Experience
Before joining IFF, Muller served as the president of functional ingredients and solutions at Corbion. During this time, he dedicated his efforts to various industries such as bakery, meat, dairy, confectionery, beverage, pet food, and biochemicals. His extensive knowledge and leadership in these fields have laid a solid foundation for his new role at IFF.
Earlier in his career, Muller spent nearly 12 years with DuPont Nutrition & Health. He held multiple leadership positions including senior vice president of global sales, marketing and innovations, regional president of North America and Mexico, and vice president of flavors for the Americas. His achievements at DuPont demonstrate his ability to drive business and create value.
Before DuPont, he was a regional president NAFTA at Danisco USA, Inc. He also held positions at Firmenich as vice president of sales NAM, Sensient as vice president of sales, and Bush Boake Allen as vice president of Latin America and Caribbean. These diverse experiences have equipped him with a wide range of skills and perspectives.
Education and Expertise
Muller studied chemistry at the University of Sciences in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This educational background has provided him with a strong scientific foundation, which is crucial in the field of food ingredients. His technical knowledge and understanding of chemistry have enabled him to excel in his previous roles and will continue to be an asset at IFF.
According to IFF, "Andy is an agile specialty ingredients executive with decades of experience as a technical and commercial leader, P&L owner and entrepreneur." His ability to combine technical expertise with commercial acumen makes him a valuable asset in the food ingredients industry. He holds a wealth of experience in technology value-capture, integrating innovation and supply chains, and building compelling value propositions for customers.
Role at IFF
As the president of Food Ingredients at IFF, Muller plays a crucial role in supporting the company's focus on delivering growth and value through this important business unit. His leadership and experience will help IFF navigate the challenges and opportunities in the food ingredients market.
With his extensive network and industry connections, Muller is well-positioned to drive collaborations and partnerships that will benefit IFF and its customers. His ability to integrate innovation and supply chains will ensure that IFF remains at the forefront of the industry and continues to deliver high-quality products.