When asked for comment, a Smithfield representative directed CNN Business to seek comment from two industry groups, the National Pork Producers Council and the North American Meat Institute and highlighted a May 2020 news article, which said millions of pigs would have to be euthanized as meatpacking plants were hit hard by the pandemic.

The representative also offered a statement around mid-day from Keira Lombardo, chief administrative officer at Smithfield. She said, “we have not been served with a copy of this purported complaint and have not had adequate time to review the allegations or prepare any substantive response to them,” but added that “the advocacy organizations who make these claims have a stated goal of dismantling the efforts of our hard-working employees, who take great pride in safely producing food products.”

FWW filed the suit on behalf of itself, DC consumers and the general public, it said in the complaint, pointing to a D.C. law that allows non-profits to sue on consumers’ behalf

“Smithfield’s public messaging amounted to a scaremongering campaign, exploiting consumer fear about food insecurity,” FWW said in the complaint. “These statements, however, were misleading, deceptive, and contradicted by the facts.”

The company also told consumers in ads and on social media that it was implementing proper safety procedures for its workers during the pandemic, the complaint noted.

The June 16 complaint also states that workers reported attendance policies that encouraged employees to come in even if they were sick.

“To be clear, our health and safety measures, guided by medical and workplace safety expertise, have been comprehensive as our teams have worked from coast to coast to protect the food supply during the pandemic,” Lombardo said in her Monday statement.