Foster Farms plant to temporarily close after 8 employees die from COVID-19
Foster Farms announced it will comply with a Merced County Department of Public Health order and temporarily close one of its processing plants in Livingston, Calif. The facility has been the center of a Coronavirus outbreak since late June that has led to the deaths of eight employees. The remainder of the Livingston facility that has not been affected by the outbreak will be allowed to remain in operation.
In a statement, Foster Farms said, “The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present an unprecedented challenge to our nation, and its workforce. This has been felt strongly in the meat and poultry industry, and geographically in California’s Central Valley, the heart of agriculture for the Western United States. In recent months, Foster Farms’ Livingston Poultry Complex located in Merced County experienced 392 positive cases, and 8 employee deaths related to complications associated with COVID-19. The illness and deaths occurred despite Foster Farms having promptly implemented a comprehensive set of employee protective measures that strictly adhere to CDC guidance. We are gratified that 239 of our coworkers have been cleared to return to work and grieve with the families and loved ones of those who died.”