Perdue Farms has agreed to pay $4 million in restitution along with additional penalties to settle a federal investigation into alleged child labor violations at its poultry processing plant on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The settlement, which includes measures such as mandatory training and increased reporting on compliance, underscores serious issues in the company's labor practices.

On January 15, 2025, the Department of Labor reached an agreement with Perdue Farms and associated staffing agencies over child labor violations at the poultry processing facility in Accomac, Virginia. The violations included the hazardous employment of minors in tasks such as deboning and processing in dangerous conditions. As part of the settlement, Perdue Farms agreed to pay restitution and penalties, and to implement enhanced compliance measures to prevent future incidents.

OpenSecrets profile shows that Perdue Farms contributed $8,602 during the 2024 cycle and spent $220,000 on lobbying, with all listed lobbyists having previous government experience. These revolving door practices raise concerns about entrenched political influence and potential support for authoritarian-leaning structures.

In 2023, meat industry groups and major companies significantly increased their political contributions and lobbying efforts—spending over $10 million—in response to USDA reforms aimed at enhancing transparency and fairness for poultry growers and family farmers. As a major poultry producer, Perdue Farms is part of an industry trend that uses aggressive financial influence to shape policy outcomes, often at the expense of democratic accountability and equitable practices.

The US Department of Labor has opened an investigation into Perdue Farms, following reports alleging that its contractors employed underage migrant workers in hazardous conditions. The investigation follows a report by The New York Times Magazine and Business Insider that highlighted dangerous work environments where minors were involved. Although Perdue Farms asserts it maintains strict policies and is conducting a third-party audit of its child labor protocols, authorities are probing the potential legal and ethical violations within its supply chain.

The U.S. Labor Department has launched a federal investigation into Perdue Farms over allegations that migrant children as young as 13 are employed in hazardous cleaning roles at its facilities. The inquiry follows reports detailing minors working overnight shifts in dangerous environments, raising serious concerns about labor rights and safety violations.

In September 2023, the US Department of Labor launched an investigation into possible child labor violations in the supply chains of Perdue Farms and Tyson Foods following reports of migrant children working in subcontracted slaughterhouses. The probe raises serious concerns about the adequacy of due diligence and oversight in labor practices and supply chain management.