HelloFresh, a German-based meal-kit company, is under investigation by the U.S. Labor Department for allegedly employing migrant children to cook and work at its packaging facility in Illinois, ABC News reported. Midway Staffing, the company that hired workers for HelloFresh, is also under investigation for allegedly violating federal child labor laws.
The executive director of Immigrant Solidarity, an immigrant rights advocacy group, told ABC News they discovered at least six teenagers working night shifts at the facility. Some of the teens were believed to have immigrated from Guatemala, the report said.
“We were deeply troubled to learn of the allegations made against a former temporary staffing agency,” a spokesperson for HelloFresh told ABC News in a statement. “As soon as we learned of these allegations, we immediately terminated the relationship.”
“We have strict protocols in place to ensure all vendors follow our robust global ethics and compliance policies. We have zero tolerance for any form of child labor, and we have taken action to ensure no minors perform work in or have access to our facilities,” the statement said.
Midway Staffing announced it was cooperating with the Labor Department’s investigation, Reuters reported. The company also denied ever knowingly hiring anyone under the age of 18 to work in the facilities.
According to the Labor Department, children under 18 cannot operate power-driven meat processing machines, such as meat slicers, saws and meat choppers. They are also prohibited from doing most jobs in meat and poultry slaughtering, processing, rendering or packing establishments.
