Tyson Foods is in risk of losing close to $500 million in government contracts if found guilty in and ongoing criminal investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency over the recent release of toxic chemicals at a plant in Monett, Mo.The food company has enjoyed more than $4.7 billion in contract business from the U.S. government since 2000, but this could all end with the guilty findings in the Monett investigation.The EPA probe came after Tyson was caught sending Aliment (an additive used in chicken feed) tainted wastewater into Monett’s wastewater plant which released high levels of ammonia into the city’s water system. The ammonia killed an estimated 100,000 fish within four miles of the site.
Tyson Foods is in risk of losing close to $500 million in government contracts if found guilty in and ongoing criminal investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency over the recent release of toxic chemicals at a plant in Monett, Mo.
The food company has enjoyed more than $4.7 billion in contract business from the U.S. government since 2000, but this could all end with the guilty findings in the Monett investigation.
The EPA probe came after Tyson was caught sending Aliment (an additive used in chicken feed) tainted wastewater into Monett’s wastewater plant which released high levels of ammonia into the city’s water system. The ammonia killed an estimated 100,000 fish within four miles of the site.
The company says it’s cooperating with the EPA’s investigation, and has worked with its feed mills on procedures designed to ensure this kinds of accidents don’t happen again.
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The Aliment incident occurred when the additive was hauled to the Monett site from its feed mill in Aurora, and inadvertently mixed in Tyson’s pretreated wastewater system. Tyson allegedly did not immediately notify the city’s wastewater plant of possible contamination, but instead tried to clean up the accident once the mistake was realized.
Scott Edwards, a litigator for the Food & Water Justice arm of Food and Water Watch, says Tyson and other poultry plants and wastewater gaffs are nothing new. Though this criminal probe is more serious in nature, Edwards says he doubts Tyson will actually lose its government contracts, given their influential poultry lobby. However, he says the EPA could send a strong signal by pulling contracts if Tyson is found criminally responsible.
This is not the first time Tyson has faced environmental issues. The nation’s largest meat company operates more than 60 processing and slaughter facilities across the U.S. In Missouri, the company operates five facilities and employs some 4,700 workers. Two of those Missouri plants have recorded prior accidents in which Tyson settled.
Lawsuits are affecting change elsewhere in the food and beverage industry, specifically with labeling. Last year, PepsiCo announced that it will no longer label its Naked juices as being ‘‘all natural’’ after paying $9 million to settle a lawsuit that claimed the drinks contain artificial ingredients. The company decided to drop the use of the word ‘‘natural’’ until more solid regulatory guidance emerges.
Published Aug 27, 2014 2pm EDT / 11am PDT / 7pm BST / 8pm CEST
Managing Director, Sustainability & Social Impact
Deutsche Bank
Mike Hower is a sustainability communicator and connector committed to helping purpose-driven businesses and people unlock their full potential for positive impact. As founder and principal consultant at Hower Impact, he works with companies to translate sustainability strategy into stories that inform, engage and inspire investors, customers, employees, regulators and other stakeholders in the service of social, environmental and business goals. Through his Impact Hired initiative, he works to connect and engage corporate sustainability professionals at all stages of their careers.
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