SMITHFIELD, Va., Feb. 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods, Inc. is pleased to announce that the North American Meat Institute (NAMI) has recognized 58 of the company’s U.S. locations for environmental achievements, and 34 locations for workplace safety accomplishments. Additionally, NAMI honored Dr. Doug Sutton, vice president of research and development for Smithfield Foods, with the Foundation for Meat and Poultry Research and Education’s Scientific Achievement Award. NAMI presented the awards at its 2019 International Production and Processing Expo in Atlanta, Georgia.

“Dr. Doug Sutton’s efforts toward scientific advancement, as well as our facility employees’ focus on important environmental and workplace safety issues, are key to the success of Smithfield’s exceedingly dynamic sustainability program,” said Stewart Leeth, vice president of regulatory affairs and chief sustainability officer for Smithfield Foods. “These awards are a testament to how our employees implement innovative solutions to deliver high-quality products to customers and consumers, protect our environment, and ensure worker safety.”

Each year, NAMI presents the Foundation for Meat and Poultry Research and Education’s Scientific Achievement Award to an individual from the industry, academia, or government whose professional achievements have had a significant contribution to the scientific knowledge of the meat and poultry industry. Doug Sutton’s 18-year tenure at Smithfield has been integral to the company’s leading research on new product development and the role it plays in determining product quality and yield. His work has resulted in commercialization of products that meet the consumer’s ever-changing demand and expectation for convenience, while enhancing Smithfield’s product innovation.

The NAMI Environmental Achievement Awards program honors companies that go beyond environmental compliance by designing and successfully implementing innovative plant upgrades or environmental programs. The organization also recognizes companies that are dedicated to continuous environmental improvement with its Environmental Recognition Awards program. This program is a four-tiered program beginning with simple environmental compliance policies in Tier 1 and culminating with the more complex ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in Tier 4.

The NAMI Worker Safety Recognition Awards recognize facilities for achieving high levels of safety performance as well as implementation of various key components of an effective safety and health program, specifically injury and illness reduction efforts. The National Safety Council determines each facilities' recognition level by analyzing both the Total Recordable Cases rate and the rate for Cases with Days Away from Work, Job Transfer, or Restriction (DART).

Smithfield’s award-winning locations are listed below:

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, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Contact:
Lisa Martin
lvmartin@smithfield.com
(757) 365-1980

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/81dfc76d-05de-419b-8297-1b6efbf0ba83