Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!

Tyson Foods Q&A: Why they're using walk-through temperature scanners

The Feed blog post about why Tyson Foods, Inc. is installing more than 150 infrared temperature scanners in its production facilities.

Tyson Foods Q&A: Why theyre using walk-through temperature scanners
Tyson Foods Q&A: Why theyre using walk-through temperature scanners
Tyson Foods Q&A: Why theyre using walk-through temperature scanners
Tyson Foods Q&A: Why theyre using walk-through temperature scanners
April 14, 2020

From Tyson:

We’re working hard to protect team members during this challenging and ever-changing situation, while continuing to fulfill our critical role of helping feed people across the country. Our growing list of protective measures are all essential in doing as much as we can to keep COVID-19 out of the workplace.

We’ve purchased more than 150 infrared walk-through temperature scanners. So far, we have the scanners installed in four facilities; pork plants in Iowa and Indiana and poultry plants in Arkansas and Georgia. We expect that eventually every one of our food production facilities will have at least one in place. Hear from our Senior Vice President of Health & Safety, Tom Brower, as he explains why we’re installing the scanners.

Why are we using this technology?

We need to ensure a safe work environment for our people. Exploring ways that are more efficient in keeping our team members safe is never a bad thing. This is a non-contact temperature scanner, so it’s seamless for our team members since all they need to do is walk through the detector zone. It doesn’t disrupt their routine, and it’s faster than using the handheld thermometers.

How do these walk-through scanners work?

All that team members have to do is walk through the detector zone one at a time. The non-contact thermal imaging system tracks them as a screen provides a real-time display of the maximum temperature reading of each person. If a team member’s temperature exceeds a fever-grade temperature, the system sets an alarm. One of our trained professionals will take additional steps and check that team members temperature with a temporal thermometer to verify their temperature. If a team member is sick, we’ll send them home.

Do infrared scanners detect COVID-19?

No. The makers of these devices have noted that the scanners only detect a person’s body temperature. We still choose to use them because it’s a safer non-contact option to check temperature. Just because it can detect a fever, doesn’t mean it can identify someone who potentially has COVID-19. We know that the virus can be in people who are asymptomatic. That’s why we’ve implemented other protective measures since January.

What other protective measures have we implemented?

We formed an internal COVID-19 task force in January and began isolating team members who could be at-risk by virtue of their travel. By the end of February, we had limited business travel, educated our team members about COVID-19 through digital signage, videos and other communications. We also encouraged sick team members to stay home by relaxing attendance policies, increased sanitation/disinfection efforts and implemented restrictions on visitors to our facilities. We’re also using temporal thermometers to take the temperature of every team member at every facility before they enter the workplace.

Have thermal imaging systems been recommended by federal agencies?

According to CNBC, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved infrared body temperature scanners to detect coronavirus fevers. The organization is exploring new guidance because of the COVID-19 outbreak. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t use it. It means we should also be utilizing other protective measures and practicing social distancing.

Will we keep these walk-through temperature scanners for the long-term?

Since we’ve invested in the equipment, we may consider continuing to use them. This could help in the future flu and cold seasons to identify team members that are just starting to show symptoms and have them go home.

KEYWORDS: coronavirus and food safety Tyson Foods

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Methods
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Sanitation
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    Best Practices
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • mold
    Sponsored byIFC

    Tackling Mold Remediation in Food Processing Plants

  • a worker in a food processing plant
    Sponsored byLPS® DETEX®

    How a Beverage Facility Improved Food Safety and Compliance with Detectable Packaging Solutions

  • Two men standing in a produce storage facility having a discussion.
    Sponsored byOrkin Commercial

    Staying Compliant With FSMA

Popular Stories

smoked salmon in oil

Study Shows Food Type Significantly Affects Listeria’s Ability to Survive Digestion, Cause Sickness

straight-on view of u.s. capitol hill

Bill Reintroduced to Congress Would Require FDA to Systematically Reassess Food Chemicals

FSM podcast

Ep. 197. Jatin Patel: Lessons Learned and Best Practices for Handling a Recall

Events

July 15, 2025

Hygienic Design Risk Management: Industry Challenges and Global Insights

Live: July 15, 2025 at 11:00 am EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn the importance of hygienic design to ensure food safety and sanitation effectiveness.

July 22, 2025

Beyond the Binder: Digital Management of Food Safety

Live: July 22, 2025 at 3:00 pm EDT: During this webinar, attendees will learn best practices for the use of digital food safety management systems across industry and regulatory agencies.

August 7, 2025

Achieve Active Managerial Control of Major Risk Factors Using a Food Safety Management System

Live: August 7, 2025 at 2:00 pm EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn about changes to the FDA Food Code, which now includes a requirement for FSMS. 

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
Environmental Monitoring Excellence eBook

Related Articles

  • Exclusive interview: Q&A with US Foods, on COVID-19 changes and sanitation

    Exclusive interview: Q&A with US Foods, on COVID-19 changes and sanitation

    See More
  • Best Sanitizers, Inc. Announces New HACCP SmartStep2 Walk-Through Dual Footwear Sanitizing Unit.

    Best Sanitizers, Inc. announces new HACCP SmartStep2 walk-through dual footwear sanitizing unit

    See More
  • Tyson Foods: Avian Flu Outbreak Not a Food Safety or Human Health Concern

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • food-safety-making.jpg

    Food Safety: Making Foods Safe and Free From Pathogens

  • global food.jpg

    Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

  • 1118474600.jpg

    Practical Food Safety: Contemporary Issues and Future Directions

See More Products
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

eNewsletter | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing