Smithfield Well Positioned To Meet Rising Demand For Ractopamine-Free Pork

In regard to the new third party verification requirement, Mr. Pope remarked that, "We urge the U.S. government to work to quickly and decisively resolve this issue. We are in close contact with the U.S. government to address this situation and our customers in China and Russia are also encouraging their respective governments to develop a protocol with the U.S. government that is acceptable to all parties."

Ractopamine is a safe and effective FDA-approved feed supplement used in the hog farming industry for many years to produce leaner pork. While Smithfield acknowledges that this supplement is widely used as part of a healthy, balanced diet for growing hogs, the company is leveraging its integrated platform to address the growing demand for ractopamine-free pork, primarily in export markets. Smithfield will continue to produce pork with and without this supplement according to customer specifications.

About Smithfield Foods

Smithfield Foods is a $13 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 ^®, Farmland ^®, Armour ^®, Cook's ^®, Gwaltney ^®, John Morrell ^®, Kretschmar ^®, Curly's ^®, Carando ^®, Margherita ^®, and Healthy Ones ^®. 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 www.smithfieldcommitments.com .

The Smithfield Foods, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7622

CONTACT: Keira Lombardo
         Smithfield Foods, Inc.
         [phone]
         [e-mail]

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