Meat Giants Face ESG Fight With Investors Managing $2 Trillion

Investors are picking a new fight with the world’s biggest meat companies as coronavirus outbreaks sicken thousands of workers.

After tackling issues including the use of antibiotics, animal welfare and climate change, investors are turning their attention to plants that have become virus hotspots. Firms that manage $2.3 trillion in assets want meatpackers to adopt recommendations they say will keep workers safe and mitigate reputational and financial risks.

The investors are urging the likes of Tyson Foods Inc. and JBS SA to take steps including enforcing social distancing, providing personal protective equipment and opposing any federal or state policies that ...