Russia’s new restrictions on the feed additive ractopamine have reduced the number of Canadian plants eligible for exporting.

Smithfield Foods Inc. reported strong fiscal 2013 third quarter results, driven by growth in packaged meats and solid contributions from international operations.

Opportunities are emerging to explore different cuts of meat and develop innovative applications that cross-utilize beef and pork across the menu.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation said shippers to China, the third biggest buyer of U.S. pork, intend to comply with a new requirement that products have test reports showing they are free of the additive ractopamine.

Smithfield leads the industry in the production of ractopamine-free pork.

China wants a third party to verify that U.S. pork shipped to the country is free of the ractopamine feed additive.

It is scheduled for June 5 through 7 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.

A new retail promotion from the National Pork Board is enticing consumers to choose pork to make cold-weather comfort foods like chili, pot roast, casseroles and slow-cooker dishes more exciting.

The Kremlin is asserting that its decision to ban beef and pork imports with ractopamine was based on food safety and not retaliation for a human rights bill passed by the U.S. Senate.

After a recent study from Consumer Reports that reported harmful bacteria in a majority of pork products tested, industry associations have responded to refute the article’s claims.