NEW EVENT! Cutting-edge Trends for Food Products at PACK EXPO Southeast
Discover all the latest packaging & processing solutions for food products at the all-new PACK EXPO Southeast in Atlanta, GA, March 10-12, 2025

Top 10 Articles of 2024 – No. 8: Prison Labor Linked to Popular Food Brands

Join ProFood World in looking back at the site’s most popular articles of 2024. No. 8 highlights the concerning labor situations prisoners have been put into for bare minimum pay.

A prisoner works in a field under a guard's watch.
A prisoner works in a field under a guard's watch.
WIN-Initiative/Neleman via Getty Images

An investigation by The Associated Press tied some of the biggest food companies to labor performed by prisoners throughout the U.S. penal systems despite some of those same companies having policies against such practices.

One case The AP highlighted found there were cattle raised by prisoners of the Louisianna State Penitentiary. The men were sentenced to hard labor and paid as much as pennies for the cattle to be prepared to enter the supply chains of giants like McDonald’s, Walmart, and Cargill.

Back to Basics: Understanding Conveyors for Food Processing
Discover how modern conveyors enhance food processing—boost efficiency, ensure safety, and save space. Explore the latest tech and tips to optimize your operations.
learn more
Back to Basics: Understanding Conveyors for Food Processing
INTRODUCING! The Latest Trends for Food Products at PACK EXPO Southeast
The exciting new PACK EXPO Southeast 2025 unites all vertical markets in one dynamic hub, generating more innovative answers to food packaging and processing challenges. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity for your business!
Read More
INTRODUCING! The Latest Trends for Food Products at PACK EXPO Southeast