USDA to Permanently Allow Faster Meat Processing, Raising Worker Safety Concerns

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced plans to permanently allow poultry and pork processing plants to operate at higher speeds, sparking concerns about worker safety and food quality. The decision benefits meat companies and industry groups like the National Chicken Council, which have long pushed for faster production.

Under existing waivers, chicken plants can process up to 175 birds per minute, compared to the previous limit of 140. The USDA argues there is no direct link between processing speeds and workplace injuries, but labor unions and advocates warn that increased speeds raise the risk of injuries and food contamination. Meatpacking jobs, often held by immigrants and undocumented workers, involve repetitive motions with sharp tools in extreme conditions.

Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, criticized the move, stating that increased line speeds will undoubtedly harm workers. In 2019, the Trump administration allowed pork plants to operate without speed limits, but a federal judge overturned the rule in 2021 following a legal challenge from labor unions. The Biden administration later launched a trial program in 2023, permitting six pork plants to operate faster while collecting data on worker injuries.

A USDA-funded study released in January found meatpacking workers face a higher risk of musculoskeletal disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome. Among six pork plants, one showed increased worker risks with higher speeds, another showed lower risks, and four saw no statistical impact. Bureau of Labor Statistics data from 2022 revealed that illness rates in the meat processing industry were six times higher than the national average.

While the decision provides stability for pork producers, worker unions argue that prioritizing efficiency over safety puts vulnerable employees at greater risk.