MONMOUTH, ILL. — Smithfield Foods Inc. confirmed that an employee died in a workplace incident on Sept. 14 at the company’s Monmouth, Ill., processing plant.

“We are deeply saddened to confirm the loss of a team member who was fatally injured in a workplace incident this morning at our Monmouth facility,” said Ray Atkinson, senior director of external affairs at Smithfield Foods. “Our safety personnel are currently on site investigating along with local authorities. Our thoughts and prayers are with our co-worker’s family.”

Local law enforcement is currently investigating the fatality. No further information has been released.

Rachael Oatman is the digital media associate editor for MEAT+POULTRY. She has been at Sosland Publishing Company since 2022, covering the industry and managing the digital media channels of the publication. She also writes and edits web stories, images, about the meat industry. Oatman is a graduate of John Brown University.

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