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by critics said Monday it was laying off 86 employees from its corporate office in South Dakota, citing what it calls a misinformation campaign about a product that food-industry experts agree is safe.
• Beef Products Inc. executives said this is the second round of layoffs resulting from the intense negative publicity about the company's lean, finely textured beef. BPI has said it took a "substantial" financial hit after social media exploded with worry over the product and an online petition sought its ouster from schools.
• The company confirmed earlier this month it was closing its three plants in Kansas, Texas and Iowa, resulting in 650 lost jobs. A fourth plant in Nebraska will remain open but at reduced capacity.
• The latest job cuts will hit the company's accounting, logistics, engineering and

human resources departments, as well as a machine and assembly shop in South Sioux City, Neb.
• "We are deeply saddened by today's events," Regina Roth, the company's co-founder, said in a statement. "This causes very personal heartache for us. We are not some big conglomerate, but a small family-owned business. We personally know and have worked side by side with these people and our family business will

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