Tyson Foods facility in Arkansas sees numerous positive COVID-19 cases
In the heart of Springdale, Arkansas, Tyson Foods, a staple of the American food industry since its establishment in 1935, finds itself at the centre of a global controversy. The company is under investigation by China's customs agency due to COVID-19 cases among employees at a poultry facility in Springdale.
The investigation stems from an announcement made by Tyson Foods on Friday, revealing that 455 out of 3,748 employees at its facilities in Benton and Washington Counties were asymptomatic when testing positive for COVID-19. This disclosure follows an earlier announcement on June 11, where Tyson Foods reported 198 asymptomatic cases out of 1,102 employees who tested positive for COVID-19.
The Arkansas Department of Health or health care providers identified additional 48 positive cases at the same Tyson facility, bringing the total number of cases to 246. However, Tyson Foods has not provided details on the number of employees who tested positive in the June 11 announcement.
Gary Mickelson, a spokesman for Tyson Foods, confirmed the investigation, stating that the company prioritises the health and safety of its team members and complies with government safety requirements. Mickelson also emphasised that Tyson Foods works closely with the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service.
The COVID-19 outbreaks at Tyson plants are not confined to Arkansas. There have been similar outbreaks at facilities in North Carolina, Nebraska, and Iowa. Despite these incidents, global and U.S. health organizations maintain that there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with food.
This investigation comes at a time when the U.S. poultry industry is seeking to rebuild its relationship with China. In November, China lifted a five-year ban on U.S. poultry imports, closing off a market that brought more than $500 million worth of American chicken, turkey, and other poultry products in 2013. However, the announcement did not provide details on the quantity of meat affected by the investigation.
In 2014, China blocked U.S. poultry imports a month after an outbreak of avian influenza. The fear of disease transmission has long been a concern for Chinese authorities when it comes to U.S. poultry imports.
As the investigation continues, Tyson Foods remains committed to ensuring the health and safety of its employees and adhering to all government safety requirements. The company's efforts to maintain a clean and safe environment will be crucial in restoring trust with its customers and partners, both in the U.S. and abroad.
