Bacon remains one of the most beloved breakfast foods for people across America. And when it comes to bacon, Smithfield is one of the biggest and most recognized brands on the market. But with consumers becoming more concerned about the origins and processing of their food, many wonder – where exactly is Smithfield bacon processed?
In this article, we’ll explore the journey Smithfield pork follows from farm to package. We’ll look at the U.S facilities used for each step of pork processing and address concerns around foreign ownership of the company. Keep reading to learn more about how this popular bacon brand goes from pig to plate
An Overview of Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is the largest pork producer and pork processor in the world. The company was founded in Smithfield, Virginia in 1936 and has grown into a multi-billion dollar global enterprise while remaining a leading U.S. brand.
Smithfield raises pigs and produces pork products across America. Some of their major brand name meats include Smithfield bacon, Eckrich deli meats, Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, and Farmland fresh pork.
In addition to fresh pork, Smithfield Foods manufactures packaged processed meats like bacon, smoked ham, salami, pork rolls, and sausage This is where public questions around foreign processing often arise. But as we’ll explore, Smithfield adheres to US. standards for their processing facilities and final products.
U.S. Hog Raising Operations
The first stage in Smithfield’s vertical integration is raising hogs. Smithfield owns around 530 farms across the U.S. concentrated in states like North Carolina, Virginia, and Utah.
On these company-owned farms, pregnant sows give birth to young piglets that are raised until they reach market weight. Smithfield also contracts thousands of independent American farm families to raise pigs according to their standards.
No Smithfield-owned pigs are sent outside the U.S. for any stage of production. The hogs are born and raised at company and contract farms across many American states.
Slaughter and Processing in U.S. Facilities
Once Smithfield pigs reach optimal size, they are transported to company owned slaughterhouses and processing plants located throughout America.
Smithfield operates over 50 facilities in the U.S. for fresh pork production. There are facilities specializing in key stages:
- Slaughterhouses that humanely process live hogs
- Cutting plants that divide carcasses into primal cuts
- Processing plants that produce packaged meats like bacon
This means Smithfield bacon and other pork products are processed stateside in company facilities. No Smithfield pork is sent to China or other countries for processing before returning to the U.S.
Meeting Quality Standards and Safety Regulations
At all stages from farm to package, Smithfield meets the stringent standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration.
Their products comply with all the same regulations and quality controls as other U.S. pork brands, whether they have international ties or not.
Inspections by USDA graders monitor everything from facilities to production practices. This ensures the bacon you buy is produced according to proper safety protocols.
Chinese Acquisition of Smithfield Foods
In 2013, Smithfield Foods was acquired by the Chinese company WH Group. However, this was primarily an overseas business investment.
WH Group has not imported any pork products from China into the U.S. market. Pork from Smithfield’s American pigs is produced for the U.S. market and exported abroad.
While foreign investment brings financial changes, Smithfield still adheres to strict American standards for raising swine and producing packaged pork. U.S. regulators continue to monitor and enforce safety and quality controls.
The Bottom Line
When you pick up a pack of Smithfield bacon from your grocer’s refrigerated section, you can feel confident that the entire production process – from piglet to package – occurred right here in the United States.
While Smithfield Foods now has Chinese investors, this has not impacted the locations where their pork is raised, processed and packaged. Consumers can trust that brand name favorites like Smithfield bacon follow all the rules and regulations enforced by U.S. agencies.
Ultimate Guide to Bacon: How It’s Made
FAQ
Who owns Smithfield Foods?
Bought by China’s WH Group Ltd <0288.HK> six years ago for $4.7 billion, Smithfield Foods has retooled U.S. processing operations to direct meat to China, which produced half the world’s pork before swine fever decimated the industry.
Where does Smithfield meat come from?
It will process the meat in China and sell it under the Smithfield brand, according to the company. It also will use Smithfield technology to build three slaughterhouses and a large-scale farm that are expected to be finished in the next few years.
Is Smithfield Foods shipping more pork to China?
Smithfield Foods’ latest turn toward China is an unusual shift for America’s so-called ham capital, which boasts a museum featuring the world’s oldest ham and streets dotted with brightly colored pig sculptures. Mayor T. Carter Williams said he heard from company workers that the plant is shipping more pork to China.
Will Smithfield meat be made in China?
It will be as advanced as anything in the United States, he added. And it is only the start. WH Group is spending a quarter of a billion dollars to have four of these facilities open within two years. It will process the meat in China and sell it under the Smithfield brand, according to the company.