A Grand Rapids food plant has come under fire, amid allegations it’s violating child labor laws, by staffing underage migrant workers in dangerous work conditions.
Hearthside Food Solutions is a contracted food industry manufacturer. It’s production facilities churn out name brands like Cheerios and Cheetos. A New York Times investigation into a new economy of exploitation looks at one of Hearthside’s Grand Rapids plants where it claims migrant children who come to the United States without their parents are challenged with the most punishing jobs in the country – despite child labor laws.
The story features workers across the U.S., among them is a 15-year-old girl working at a Hearthside Grand Rapids plant after coming to the U.S. alone from Guatemala. The Times reports, she felt sick and tired after a week of 17-hour workdays with hazardous equipment. Other stories surrounding Grand Rapids’ Hearthside workers included kids dropping out of school to make ends meet or feeling harassed at work.
Hearthside has released a statement responding to the multiple underage workers cited in the article.
CEO Darlene Acosia says the company is “appalled” by the allegations, adding its heart breaks for the young people in the story. While the company defends its safety and employment practices, Acosia says it has set out for an independent review of protocols.