The company emphasized its zero-tolerance policy for child labor, adding, “We have strict protocols in place to ensure all vendors follow our robust global ethics and compliance policies.”
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Growing Concerns Over Migrant Child Labor
Migrant children in the U.S. are increasingly found working in hazardous industries, including food supply, construction, and roofing. Advocacy groups and labor experts warn of the dangers these jobs pose to minors.
The Department of Labor reported that in fiscal year 2024 alone, 4,030 children were employed in violation of child labor laws across various industries.
Nearly half of the 736 cases investigated involved minors performing hazardous work. This reflects a broader trend, with an 88% increase in child labor violations since 2019.
The majority of these cases involve migrant children.
Similar Cases Highlight Ongoing Issues
The HelloFresh investigation is the latest in a series of child labor cases in the U.S. Last month, the Labor Department fined a sanitation contractor for employing 11 minors to perform dangerous overnight cleaning tasks at a Sioux City pork processing plant.