The company noted that the job losses are directly attributable to a widespread campaign of misinformation about the company's ammonia-treated beef.
The second round of layoffs will affect the company's accounting, logistics, engineering and human resources departments, as well as a machine and assembly shop in South Sioux City, Nebraska.
In March, a public outcry erupted after a social media campaign was initiated against the use of ammonia-treated beef product, which is used as a filler for ground beef.
The product is made from leftover cuts of meat that are heated and spun in a centrifuge to separate the meat from the fat, and then treated with ammonium hydroxide to kill bacteria.
Although federal regulators said that it meets food safety standards, critics said that the food is unappetising and possibly poses a safety risk due to treatment with ammonia, which led to loss of consumer confidence and drop in sales.
