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Hyrum • The federal government is suing a Colorado-based company, saying it systematically discriminated against qualified job applicants at its meatpacking plant in Utah.

The Labor Department, in the complaint filed with its Office of Administrative Law Judges, cited a number of violations by JBS USA at its plant in Hyrum.

JBS is accused of discriminating against female, Caucasian, African American and American Indian applicants seeking entry-level jobs at the plant, located about 90 miles north of Salt Lake City.

The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday.

The Herald Journal of Logan reports federal contracts held by JBS are in jeopardy as a result of the suit.

Based in Greeley, Colorado, JBS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brazilian meat-processing giant JBS S.A.