(Madelia)- A meat processing plant in neighboring Watonwan County has been accused of employing minors and subjecting them to hazardous conditions in a high profile case from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

Children as young as 13 were doing things like working over 40 hours a week, operating dangerous meat grinders, ovens, forklifts, and working directly with carbon monoxide and ammonia.

Tony Downs Food Company was accused of employing eight children between 13 and 17 at its plant in Madelia, with some other employees saying they had been hired years earlier and just turned 18.

The MDLI is asking a district court to place a temporary restraining order against the company, while it investigates these allegations.