Smithfield Foods is the largest pork producer and processor in the United States. They are the makers of popular bacon brands like Smithfield and Farmland. But there has been confusion around where exactly Smithfield bacon is processed. Claims have circulated that Smithfield raises pigs in the US then ships them to China for slaughter and processing before importing the bacon back.
In this article, I’ll uncover the facts around how Smithfield bacon is made and debunk some common myths. Keep reading to learn where your bacon truly comes from.
Smithfield Foods Partners with a Chinese Company
First, let’s provide some background. In 2013, Smithfield Foods was acquired by WH Group, a Chinese pork company formerly known as Shuanghui International Holdings.
WH Group owns a majority stake in China’s largest meat processor and sought to acquire Smithfield as a way to increase pork imports to meet growing demand in China.
This Chinese acquisition caused some misunderstanding about changes in how Smithfield bacon and other pork products are produced But in reality, the buyout did not significantly impact Smithfield’s US supply chain
Smithfield’s Bacon Production Process
Here are the basic facts around how Smithfield bacon is made:
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Hogs are raised on US farms, the majority contracted through Smithfield.
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Pigs are sent to Smithfield’s US plants for slaughter and processing. They have 50+ US locations.
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Bacon is packaged under brands like Smithfield and Farmland at US facilities.
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The packaged bacon is sold in US stores, with none exported to China.
Smithfield has asserted that “No Smithfield products come from animals raised, processed or packaged in China.” Their bacon production adheres to all FDA and USDA regulations for American-processed meat.
Examples of Smithfield Bacon Made in the USA
To provide some specific examples, here are a few popular Smithfield bacon products and where they are processed:
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Smithfield Premium Thick Cut Bacon – made in Smithfield Virginia
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Farmland Original Bacon – made in Crete, Nebraska
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Armour Star Bacon – made in Quincy, Michigan
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Eckrich Smoked Bacon – made in Bolingbrook, Illinois
So major Smithfield bacon brands are manufactured at their various US plants, accounting for a large portion of American bacon production.
Other False Claims About Smithfield Foods
In addition to the China pork import myth, other false allegations about Smithfield Foods have spread online, including:
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Smithfield recently sold to China – Acquired in 2013
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Hogs will be slaughtered and packaged in China – No evidence
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Fish sold in the US comes from China – FDA requirements apply
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Products like tuna and garlic are unsafe – No proof identified
These claims about Smithfield and other food providers don’t stand up to scrutiny. All packaging and processing follows typical US regulations.
The Bottom Line
Despite rumors, there is no evidence Smithfield bacon or other pork products come from China. In reality, their bacon is manufactured domestically from American-raised hogs under FDA and USDA guidelines. While owned by a Chinese parent company, Smithfield still operates as a US pork producer.
The next time you see claims about Smithfield’s bacon production process, remember that their meat is sourced and processed locally in the United States. The bacon you buy in the grocery store comes from American farms and facilities, not from Chinese imports.
The claim: Smithfield Foods was recently sold to China with unanimous support of its stockholders. The hogs will be slaughtered and processed in China before being shipped back to the U.S.
Smithfield Foods, an American company that processes meat, is being criticized for a claim that pigs will be raised in the U.S. S. and sent to China to be slaughtered and packaged before coming back here. The post also says Smithfield Foods was recently sold to China.
The March 21 Facebook post also urges people to refrain from buying food products such as Starkist Tuna, Green Giant frozen vegetables and grocery store garlic unless it is clearly marked from the USA or Canada.
The post, which has been shared over 256,000 times as of April 14, says “Read this before you buy meat.” ”.
The post says, “The pigs will still be raised here, but they will be killed and packed up for sale there before being sent back there.” “The same with many chickens. Now they can be sent there, but when they get back, all that needs to be written on the label is “RAISED IN THE USA.” ”.
The post also made specific claims, such as saying that fish raised on farms are fed raw sewage and are kept in dirty conditions while food coloring and flavorings are added. The fish are then sent to Canada and the U.S. S. “They ship it to you to buy and poison your families and friends,” the post alleges.
A message to the Facebook user who shared the information was not returned.
People are also told to avoid packages that say “prepared for,” “packaged by,” or “imported by.” The post also says that other foods, such as fruit cups, Steinfeld’s Pickles, and canned mushrooms, are not safe.
Hong Kong firm acquires Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a Virginia-based company and is the world’s largest pork processor and hog producer; it produces a variety of brand name meats and partnered with a Chinese company long before the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2013, shareholders of Smithfield Foods voted to approve a partnership with Shuanghui International Holdings Limited, a private company based in Hong Kong that holds a majority of shares in China’s largest meat processor, Henan Shuanghui Investment & Development Co. Ltd.
Forbes magazine reported that a growing demand due to large populations, rising production costs and repeated concerns about quality “formed the basis of Shuanghui International’s quest to acquire the North American meat producer.”
Forbes also reported the Chinese acquisition of Smithfield does not mean that Americans will be eating Chinese cuts. “Shuanghui isn’t looking to offload Chinese pork in Los Angeles. What it wants is to become the leading player in China.”
Smithfield’s website further states that “Smithfield has not, does not, and will not import any products from China to the United States. No Smithfield products come from animals raised, processed or packaged in China.”
Fresh Pork Production at Smithfield Foods
Where are Smithfield products made?
Wollin said all U.S. products from Smithfield are made in one of its 50 facilities across America and that all of its products are produced in compliance with the standards and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
What happened to Smithfield Foods?
Smithfield Foods was sold to a Chinese company in 2013, but China won’t be slaughtering and processing hogs raised in the U.S. and shipping them back to America. Smithfield Foods was sold to a Chinese company, and China will be slaughtering and processing hogs raised in the U.S. and shipping them back to America.
Who is Smithfield Foods?
Smithfield Foods is a Virginia-based company and is the world’s largest pork processor and hog producer; it produces a variety of brand name meats and partnered with a Chinese company long before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Did Smithfield Foods sell to China?
The post also says Smithfield Foods was recently sold to China. The March 21 Facebook post also urges people to refrain from buying food products such as Starkist Tuna, Green Giant frozen vegetables and grocery store garlic unless it is clearly marked from the USA or Canada.
Where are ham & bacon made?
On April 15, the company announced the closure of a plant in Cudahy, Wisconsin that makes bacon and sausage, and a plant in Martin City, Missouri that makes hams. Both plants were dependent on the Sioux Falls slaughterhouse.
What happened to Smithfield pork?
The company announced on Sunday in a news release that their Sioux Falls facility, which accounts for four to five percent of U.S. pork production, will remain closed until further notice after 238 Smithfield employees accounted for about half of Minnehaha County’s 438 COVID-19 cases.