Smithfield Foods Releases Latest Section of 2017 Sustainability Report, Shares New Programs and Companywide Commitment to Food Safety and Quality

SMITHFIELD, Va., May 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Smithfield Foods, Inc. released the Food Safety and Quality section of its 2017 Sustainability Report, which provides robust information about the company’s leading approach to producing safe, high-quality products. This section focuses on programs and achievements that underscore a culture of food safety, and highlights new product offerings that reflect Smithfield’s transformation into a world-class consumer packaged goods and protein company. 

“We’re focused on making high-quality food that continues to earn the trust of our consumers while meeting an increasing desire among the public to know more about how our products are made,” said Kenneth M. Sullivan, president and chief executive officer for Smithfield Foods. “Demonstrating transparency about our products, and what goes into making them, is key to our success.” 

Smithfield’s 2017 Sustainability Report provides in-depth information about innovations, programs, and achievements in food safety and quality, including:

• A revitalized food safety initiative that builds upon the company’s philosophy that all employees have a role to play in making safe, high-quality foods.
• Investments of more than $50 million in capital projects that enhance food safety and quality as well as production efficiency.
• Investment of $25 million in a new line of meal kits sold at retail stores to meet evolving consumer demands for complete meal solutions.
• Reformulated best-selling products with all-natural ingredients and the introduction of a new product category of fresh, never frozen, meatballs.

“Smithfield has a strong companywide culture of absolute food safety responsibility, which aims to assure that food safety and quality is owned by every person, every day,” said Stewart Leeth, vice president of regulatory affairs and chief sustainability officer for Smithfield Foods. “We continue to strengthen our culture through top-level commitment, day-to-day best practices, ongoing improvements, and innovative processes.”  

The Food Safety and Quality section is the third of a multiphase release of Smithfield’s 2017 Sustainability Report, following Animal Care and Environment that were released earlier this month. Smithfield will publish its Helping Communities and People sections next week, along with the full report.

To view a video about Smithfield’s food safety and quality program, click here.

To read the full Food Safety section of the report, please visit smithfieldfoods.com/foodsafety.

About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield^®, Eckrich^®, Nathan’s Famous^®, Farmland^®, Armour^®, Farmer John^®, Kretschmar^®, John Morrell^®, Cook’s^®, Gwaltney^®, Carando^®, Margherita^®, Curly’s^®, Healthy Ones^®, Morliny^®, Krakus^® and Berlinki^®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.

Contact:
Diana Souder
Smithfield Foods, Inc.
(757) 357-1675
dsouder@smithfield.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/7bb185f1-4114-41d9-a97a-5eea99c21eae