In August 2023, a South Carolina poultry processing facility faced a potential crisis when a former employee allegedly manipulated its chemical cleaning systems, raising questions about cybersecurity and insider threats in the food supply chain.
The incident, now under federal scrutiny, underscores the fragility of automated food processing and the need for stronger safeguards to protect public health.
William Jason Taylor, a 51-year-old Spartanburg resident, pleaded not guilty on April 30 this year in a Columbia, SC, federal courtroom to charges of unauthorized computer access. Prosecutors allege that Taylor, a former technician at a cleaning services company referred to as “Company C” in court documents illegally accessed the chemical dosing systems of a Sumter-based poultry plant referred to as “Company P” over six days in August 2023. According to court documents reported by The State, Taylor altered levels of peracetic acid and sodium hydroxide — chemicals critical for sanitizing poultry but hazardous if mishandled — while disabling safety alarms and redirecting notification emails to mask his actions.
The indictment, filed April 16, charges Taylor with six counts, each carrying up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. While no contamination, recalls, or facility damage have been publicly confirmed, the case has sparked concerns about the safety of America’s poultry supply. U.S. Magistrate Judge Shiva Hodges, voiced public unease, noting, as reported by The State, that consumers “don’t want to worry about unsafe chicken.” The ongoing investigation has not disclosed whether the tampering reached consumers.
A disgruntled insider’s access
Taylor’s role at Company C, which provides cleaning services across South Carolina and Georgia, involved designing and maintaining chemical dosing systems, giving him intimate knowledge of the poultry plant’s operations. His employment ended in May 2023, and Company C required him to surrender his email, alarm codes, and other credentials, per court documents cited by The State. Yet, prosecutors allege Taylor exploited residual or regained access to manipulate the plant’s systems. Ex-employees with technical expertise can pose significant risks if security protocols fail. Some details, including how Taylor regained access, remain undisclosed.
The mechanism of Taylor’s access — whether through unrevoked credentials or external hacking — remains unclear, as Assistant U.S. Attorney Winston Holliday declined to elaborate, citing the investigation, according to a report in the Post and Courier. Taylor’s attorney, James Zachary Farr of Spartanburg, emphasized his client’s clean criminal record and current role as a project manager with no access to sensitive systems, according to The State. Released on a $25,000 unsecured bond, Taylor awaits further proceedings, with no trial date set as of May 1.
Chemical risks in poultry processing
The chemicals at the center of the allegations — peracetic acid and sodium hydroxide — are standard in poultry processing but demand precise control. Peracetic acid, a sanitizer, can contaminate food or harm workers if overused, while sodium hydroxide, a caustic cleaning agent, poses similar risks in incorrect doses, according to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also warns that mishandling such chemicals can lead to health hazards, from skin burns to respiratory issues. Taylor’s alleged alterations to flow rates and solution levels could have disrupted these safeguards, though authorities have not confirmed actual harm.
South Carolina, a major poultry producer with numerous processing plants according to FSIS data, produces millions of pounds of chicken annually. A single incident of chemical tampering could raise consumer concerns, as Judge Hodges’ remarks suggest.
The lack of transparency about Company P’s identity or consumer impact, due to court redactions, fuels uncertainty.
Cybersecurity: A growing threat to food safety
This case exposes a blind spot in food safety: the vulnerability of digitized processing systems to insider attacks. Poultry plants increasingly rely on remote systems for chemical dosing, monitored via internet-connected platforms. While efficient, these systems are susceptible to sabotage, especially by former employees with lingering access.
The 2021 JBS ransomware attack, which disrupted meat processing nationwide, highlighted external cyber threats, but Taylor’s case reveals the equally pressing danger of internal sabotage.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology recommends robust access controls to prevent unauthorized entry, yet Taylor’s alleged actions suggest gaps in implementation.
Unlike high-profile outbreaks, cybersecurity breaches in food processing lack clear regulatory oversight. The USDA and FDA have yet to issue specific cybersecurity mandates for processing plants, leaving the industry to self-regulate.
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