Smithfield Foods wants a federal court to throw out a subpoena from OSHA.
The agency calls for health officials to share COVID-19 test results, communications, and photos of the Sioux Falls meat packing plant. Smithfield says that it only gave the Health Department the information with assurance the data would be protected.
The company stated, “This raises significant policy implications relevant to the nation’s response to COVID-19 and, if enforced without militating or safeguards, will undoubtedly chill collaborations between essential employers and public health agencies going forward.” Smithfield wants a change to redact any confidential information before OSHA can review it.