US poultry producer Pilgrim’s Pride has announced that CEO David Van Hoose is to retire and O.B. Goolsby, currently executive vice president of prepared food operations, is to be promoted to the role of president and chief operating officer.

No successor has yet been named for the position of chief executive officer. The company has said that Van Hoose will take an active role in the transition of responsibility in the next several months and will serve the company as a consultant following his retirement, which is to take place on 29 March 2003.

The news comes amid the aftermath of a massive recall that Pilgrim’s Pride carried out after listeria bacteria was discovered at one of its plants.

In October, Pilgrim’s Pride recalled 27 million pounds of its poultry products from its Wampler Food’s processing plant in Franconia, Pennsylvania. A strain of listeria found at the plant was found to be the same as a strain that caused seven deaths and around 50 illnesses in the northeastern US this year. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the plant was the most likely source of the outbreak.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.