As the coronavirus continues to spread, more food processing facilities have had to close their doors.
Although COVID-19 is not considered a food safety concern—as there is little to no risk of contracting it from food products, according to governmental agencies—those who work on the processing lines are contracting the virus from each other. Because meat-processing workers, especially, are in close proximity to one another on the line, it has been difficult to curtail the spread through social distancing, causing several plants to shutter their doors. Smithfield, Tyson and JBS are among the largest meat processing plants to cease operations. Closures are not limited to meat plants, though. Among the most recent closures is Flowers Foods, a bakery based in Thomasville, Ga.