Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., called for a labor investigation into Tyson Foods on Tuesday. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Hawley went on to note media reports showing that "Tyson purposely uses subcontractors to avoid punishment for illegally employing children. As a result, Tyson has successfully avoided all liability and culpability for its clear violations of child labor laws."
Tyson denied any wrongdoing in a statement to Fox News Digital on Tuesday.
"We do not allow the employment of anyone under the age of 18 in any of our facilities, and we do not facilitate, excuse, or in any other way participate in the use of child labor by third parties. We take the enforcement of all labor laws seriously, and we verify the age of all team members by fully participating in the federal government's E-Verify and IMAGE programs. We also have multiple processes in place, including an anonymous ethics hotline, for all team members to report suspicious activity," a Tyson Foods spokesperson said in a statement.
EXPLOSION AT LOUISVILLE FACTORY KILLS 2, INJURES SEVERAL, COMPANY CONFIRMS
A Tyson Foods logo is seen on a truck parked at a food warehouse in Little Rock, Arkansas. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)
Tyson also faced heavy criticism in 2024 after announcing plans to hire asylum seekers for one of its plants in Tennessee, just days after closing another facility in Iowa, costing roughly 1,000 jobs.
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/josh-hawley-calls-federal-investigation-after-whistleblower-alleges-child-labor-tyson-foods-plant