DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley is asking Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to address accusations that federal workers ignored complaints about conditions at two Iowa farms involved in the recall of salmonella-tainted eggs.
Two former farm workers said last week that U.S. Department of Agriculture employees at Wright County Egg had ignored their complaints.
Grassley sent a letter to Vilsack on Tuesday asking whether the USDA had received complaints and what was done to investigate the concerns. He also asked Vilsack whether there is a system in place for farm and USDA employees to report concerns.
USDA spokesman Caleb Weaver says the agency is working on a response to Grassley, but a USDA employee doesn't recall any concerns being raised.