A federal inspector who alleged that he was injured after coming into contact with an air compression machine used to harvest pig brains in
a pork processing plant has apparently agreed to dismiss his claims. Kinney v. Hormel Foods & Quality Pork Processors, No. __ (Third Jud. Dist., Minn., claimed filed January 2009). Dale Kinney, a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspector, reportedly sought $50,000 in damages for injury allegedly caused by his proximity to a machine that has purportedly been linked to neurological illness in some employees. According to a news source, a state court judge entered an order dismissing the suit with prejudice. A Hormel spokesperson reportedly said, “We were pleased to receive notification that the plaintiff offered to drop the suit and that the case was dismissed.” See Meatingplace.com, February 9, 2009.

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For decades, manufacturers, distributors and retailers at every link in the food chain have come to Shook, Hardy & Bacon to partner with a legal team that understands the issues they face in today's evolving food production industry. Shook attorneys work with some of the world's largest food, beverage and agribusiness companies to establish preventative measures, conduct internal audits, develop public relations strategies, and advance tort reform initiatives.

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