Idaho Grocery Chain Fined 250K for Employing Minors in Hazardous Jobs
Swensen’s Magic Markets violated federal child labor laws by assigning dangerous tasks to underage workers and failing to pay overtime.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Jun 17, 2025
A southern Idaho grocery chain will pay more than $250,000 in penalties after federal investigators found it employed minors in dangerous roles, including cleaning meat slicers and grinders, in violation of child labor laws.
Swensen’s Magic Markets LLC, which operates stores in Twin Falls, Hagerman, and Paul, has agreed to pay $250,833 in civil money penalties and $5,078 in back wages and damages following a U.S. Department of Labor investigation.
The Wage and Hour Division determined that the grocer employed six minors in hazardous occupations, such as operating meat slicers, meat tenderizers, grinders, trash compactors, and rotisseries—tasks explicitly prohibited for underage workers under federal law. Investigators also found that one child was only 13 years old, which is under the legal employment age for non-agricultural work.
“Early work experience should not come at the expense of a child’s well-being and educational opportunities,” said Katherine Walum, Wage and Hour Division District Director in Portland, Oregon. “Federal law protects young workers from the dangers involved in the operation and maintenance of commercial-grade equipment and ensures they are not working late hours on school nights.”
The investigation also revealed that Swensen’s failed to aggregate hours worked across its multiple store locations, leading to overtime violations for three workers who were not compensated for hours exceeding 40 in a workweek. The company was ordered to pay $2,539 in back wages and an equal amount in damages to those workers.
Swensen’s Magic Markets employs approximately 80 workers across its locations. As part of the settlement, the company must also take steps to ensure future compliance, including adopting best practices and reviewing scheduling policies.
The Department of Labor encourages employers, parents, and educators to visit YouthRules.gov to learn more about the rights and protections of young workers. The site provides guidance on age-appropriate tasks, work-hour restrictions, and employer responsibilities under federal labor laws.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco is the Content Editor for OH&S.