Waterloo Tyson plant reopens after USDA-ordered closure

A Tyson meat plant in Waterloo is running normally now, after the USDA ordered part of the plant to stop production early Thursday.

The reason for the plant's closure is still unclear. The USDA says that at 6:35 a.m. Thursday, the Food Safety and Inspections Service shut down operation at the swine slaughter/processing facility at Tyson.

A Tyson spokesperson told KCRG-TV9 it was because of a concern in procedure, calling the situation a "humane handling violation."

Both the USDA and Tyson were asked to explain or provide details about what a "humane handling violation" is, and both said they couldn't comment. According to official descriptions, the violation can involve a range of issues, from how livestock is handled to livestock pen and ramp standards.

The section of the plant that was closed made necessary changes and was able to resume operations at 11:30 a.m. Thursday.

The USDA temporarily halted production at the same Tyson plant in September 2010 over concerns about how hogs were herded.