SMITHFIELD, Va. – Smithfield Foods Inc. said Wednesday that it will use labels saying all of its products are born, raised and processed in the United States under the new mandatory Country-of-Origin labeling (mCOOL).

“As a vertically integrated pork company, Smithfield Foods owns or controls by contract a large share of the animals it processes in the United States,” the company said in a statement. “Vertical integration provides an unparalleled level of traceability and food safety for Smithfield's customers and consumers.”

The company also said that effective in April 2009, it intends to purchase only hogs born and raised in the United States for processing at its domestic facilities and will label the pork products as such.

Smithfield said it expects that any independent producer who wishes to be a supplier of live animals to Smithfield will work with the company between now and the end of March to create a fully documented and transparent supply of hogs born and raised in the country.

 

Source: Smithfield Foods Inc.