US Minnesota District Judge John Tunheim will oversee the litigation.

Highlighting the biggest stories of the year.

Employees accused the company of gross negligence.

For the past five years, JBS USA has been the exclusive customer of TriOak’s hogs.

The company said it was able to stay fully operational throughout the incident.

Tyson, Smithfield Foods and JBS are among the defendants.

Bright spots included poultry segments and Australian business.

Cargill, JBS and Marfrig were among the companies to sign on to the World Economic Forum pledge.

The project has received $700,000 from both JBS and Greater Omaha Packing Co.

The JBS plant-based business will close the facility soon.