SMITHFIELD, Virginia (July 7, 2017) — At Smithfield Foods, the care and safety of our animals is a top priority. In an abundance of concern for our animals’ wellbeing, we immediately launched an investigation and completed a third-party audit after learning of an illegally obtained undercover video alleging mistreatment and mishandling of animals on a company-owned hog farm in Milford, Utah. The audit results show no findings of animal mistreatment.
 
Based on the review of our animal care experts, the video appears to be highly edited and even staged in an attempt to manufacture an animal care issue where one does not exist. The video features blatant inaccuracies and assertions, which could not be farther from the truth. The video’s creators, who claim to be animal care advocates, risked the life of the animal they stole and the lives of the animals living on our farms by trespassing and violating our strict biosecurity policy that prevents the spread of disease. This policy is particularly critical to the wellbeing of our piglets – the animals they claim to be rescuing.
 
The audit’s findings further disprove the video’s erroneous claims and reflect the highest standards of on-farm animal wellbeing including:

• The animals observed on the farm by the audit team were in good condition, appeared comfortable, free of clinical disease, and showed no signs of fear or intimidation in the presence of people.  
• Smithfield’s hog production division utilizes a robust animal welfare system and have a zero-tolerance policy for abuse.
• All employees at Smithfield’s farms received training in responsible animal handling and were directed to immediately report any suspected animal abuse.

 
These findings reflect our continued leadership in animal care practices. We invite you to learn more about our commitment to ensuring the respectful and humane treatment of animals by reviewing our Animal Care Policy.
 
The above statements may be attributed to Stewart Leeth, vice president of regulatory affairs and chief sustainability officer.
 
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Ⓡ, John MorrellⓇ, Cook'sⓇ, KretschmarⓇ, GwaltneyⓇ, Curly'sⓇ, MargheritaⓇ, CarandoⓇ, Healthy OnesⓇ, KrakusⓇ, MorlinyⓇ 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.