Protecting Food. Empowering Whistleblowers.

Food Integrity Campaign Blog

Press Release: President Biden demands a Fair Shake for Farmers and Ranchers in the U.S.

Food Integrity Campaign | January 6, 2022

For Immediate Release: January 6, 2022 Press Release: President Biden Demands a Fair Shake for Farmers and Ranchers in the U.S. WASHINGTON—The White House echoed the sentiments of 57 national, state, and regional organizations that spoke up on behalf of farmers and ranchers in their #FairShake Week of Action campaign. In a January 3, 2022 […]

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Unchecked Corporate Power and Exploitation: The Truth about Contract Growing

Food Integrity Campaign | December 14, 2021

Most of the chicken and pork consumed in the U.S. comes from contract growing. Whether you are a farmer, advocate, or eater, you’ll want to know the truth about contract growing. What is Contract Growing? Production contracts are increasingly common in the agricultural business. Rather than market and sell their own products, farmers often sign contracts that commit […]

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PSA RULE MAKING LETTER TO USDA SECRETARY, TOM VILSACK

Food Integrity Campaign | September 22, 2021

55 national, state and regional organizations advocating for fair and competitive markets for food and agriculture signed and delivered the following letter to Secretary of Agriculture. The signing organizations, representing a diverse array of interests including labor, environment, public health, community agriculture, animal welfare and farmers, joined this letter to thank the Department of Agriculture […]

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Press Release: Food Integrity Campaign Applauds Administration’s Bold Effort to Protect Nation’s Farmers and Ranchers from Retaliation

Food Integrity Campaign | July 15, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 15, 2021 Food Integrity Campaign Applauds Administration’s Bold Effort to Protect Nation’s Farmers and Ranchers from Retaliation New Video Showcases Contributions of Agriculture Whistleblowers WASHINGTON – Food Integrity Campaign (FIC) commends the White House on acting in response to decades of outcry from farmer whistleblowers and advocates regarding retaliation and deceptive, abusive practices in […]

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Rudy Howell

Rudy Howell Complaint of Retaliation

Food Integrity Campaign | February 12, 2021

Today, Government Accountability Project/Food Integrity Campaign filed a Whistleblower Complaint on behalf of poultry grower, Rudy Howell. The Complaint alleges that Rudy is a whistleblower and was wrongfully terminated for making protected disclosures. “Rudy Howell owns and operates the Robert Miller poultry farm in Fairmont, North Carolina. For over 25 years, Howell was contracted exclusively […]

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Press Advisory: Meat Inspector Speaks Out Against Unsafe COVID-19 Plant Conditions

FIC Staff | November 19, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 19, 2020   Meat Inspector Speaks Out Against Unsafe COVID-19 Plant Conditions WASHINGTON — Since the beginning of the pandemic, Government Accountability Project’s Food Integrity Campaign has closely followed the impact of COVID-19 in meat plants. Now, a whistleblower who once worked at the Tyson Foods plant in Waterloo, Iowa is […]

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Press Release: Pilgrim’s Pride Admits to Colluding to Suppress Competition in the Chicken Industry

FIC Staff | October 15, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 14, 2020 Pilgrim’s Pride Admits to Colluding to Suppress Competition in the Chicken Industry  The guilty plea signifies a tremendous win for advocates of a more just food system. WASHINGTON—In a major win for advocates fighting corporate concentration, on October 13 Pilgrim’s Pride became the first major corporation in a broad […]

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COVID-19: The New Hamlet Fire

FIC Staff | September 22, 2020

On September 3, 1991, a horrible tragedy rattled North Carolina’s business community. Around 8:30 that morning the Imperial Food Products chicken packing plant in Hamlet, North Carolina, burst into flames. When the fire broke out, many of the key exit doors were locked. In an effort to keep workers from stealing chickens, fire exit doors […]

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Blue Ridge Public Radio: NC’s Anti-Retaliation Law For Workers Is Not Working

August 21, 2020

This radio show mentions Food Integrity Campaign and originally appeared here.  North Carolina’s 1992 Retaliatory Employment Discrimination Act (REDA) is intended to protect workers from retaliation when they file complaints related to on-the-job injury and other health and safety concerns. It should keep employers from firing workers who complain. But in a new investigative piece […]

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Safety and Health Magazine: NELP to USDA: Faster Poultry-Processing Line Speeds During COVID-19 Pandemic ‘Irresponsible and Reckless’

June 22, 2020

Note: this article featuring Government Accountability Project and the Food Integrity Campaign, was originally published here. NELP to USDA: Faster Poultry-Processing Line Speeds During COVID-19 Pandemic ‘Irresponsible and Reckless’ Washington — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service in April approved 15 poultry processing plants’ requests to increase line speeds 25% – despite […]

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