Where is Smithfield Bacon Processed? Getting to the Bottom of This Pork Predicament

Bacon lovers rejoice – your crispy slices likely come from good ol’ American pigs! But with Smithfield Foods now owned by a Chinese company many have wondered if our bacon is actually raised processed, or packaged overseas. As a bacon aficionado myself, I had to get to the bottom of this pork predicament.

After digging into Smithfield’s operations, the facts show that those sizzling strips on your breakfast plate are still 100% made in the USA. But it wasn’t always smooth sailing between America and China when it came to the bacon business. Let’s break down this complex corporate story step-by-pig-step.

Smithfield Goes Whole Hog with China

Back in 2013, Smithfield Foods was acquired by Shuanghui International Holdings Limited, a private Chinese company. This raised some alarm bells at the time, as Smithfield is the world’s largest pork processor and America’s biggest hog producer.

With Smithfield slaughtering over 100 million pigs per year, many feared China would start importing subpar meat from Chinese facilities. But hours of research shows this has never been the case. All Smithfield products today are processed, packaged, and distributed entirely within the company’s 50 American plants and facilities.

Yet that doesn’t mean the Shuanghui acquisition was all bacon and no drama. At first, China’s interest in Smithfield was driven by some concerning factors:

• Growing demand in China’s booming population
• Rising pork production costs in China
• Repeated food safety scares involving Chinese pork

This formed the basis for Shuanghui’s move to acquire Smithfield and become China’s pork powerhouse. But thankfully, quality American bacon has remained on our plates (not China’s).

Tracking Down the Truth on Smithfield Bacon

Now that Smithfield is under Chinese ownership, rumors continue to fly about exactly where our bacon originates. Some social media posts have claimed that Smithfield:

• Sends US-raised hogs to China for processing
• Imports pork from China-based facilities
  -Packages meat in China before export to the US

But rest assured, none of these concerning claims are true. Here are the facts:

• Smithfield has confirmed they do NOT import any pork products from China to the US market.

• The USDA and FDA strictly regulate meat safety and labeling, whether domestic or imported.

• No evidence exists of Smithfield outsourcing steps of pork production to China. Their products are processed entirely in US plants.

With plenty of misinformation swimming around, it’s understandable that some consumers are suspicious. But Smithfield has been remarkably transparent that their bacon is 100% Made in the USA.

Peering Inside Smithfield’s US Processing Plants

Okay, so Smithfield doesn’t sneak Chinese pork past customs. But what exactly goes on inside their American processing plants? Here are some fascinating facts about how their bacon goes from pig to plate:

• Pigs are raised on US farms under Smithfield contract. No foreign outsourcing here.

• They are then sent to Smithfield slaughterhouses, where expert butchers carve up the carcasses.

• The pork undergoes processing and seasoning to transform into finished products.

• Bacon is packaged, sealed for freshness, and prepared for distribution.

• It is then shipped to supermarkets and restaurants across all 50 states. Sizzle time!

From start to finish, Smithfield bacon is made in America with USDA inspected pork. Their products also adhere to stringent FDA safety regulations. So feel confident frying up those Smithfield strips for breakfast!

Other Smithfield Brands: No Foreign Pork Here

It’s not just bacon – Smithfield produces many popular packaged meats. And they all come from US-raised pigs, processed domestically in Smithfield facilities:

• Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs – an American backyard staple!

• Eckrich Deli Meats – perfect for sandwiches.

• Margherita Pepperoni – for that home pizza night.

• Farmland Sausages – Brilliant breakfast links.

• Armour Hot Dogs – For a ballpark or BBQ vibe.

Smithfield also makes private label products for major chains like Walmart, so their American pork reaches even more consumers.

Why the China Rumors Persist Around Smithfield

Given the facts, why do inaccurate rumors continue alleging Smithfield imports Chinese pork? Here are some potential reasons:

• General mistrust of China due to political tensions or values.

• Previous scandals around Chinese food safety standards.

• Social media misinformation spreading unchecked.

• General xenophobia towards foreign corporate ownership.

• Misinterpreting packaging language like “processed for” or “packaged by”.

But rumors should not be taken as fact. And in Smithfield’s case, their bacon being processed in China is simply unfounded pork propaganda.

Smithfield Closes Plants During COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2020, Smithfield made headlines when they closed several pork processing plants temporarily due to COVID-19 outbreaks. This included their massive Sioux Falls, South Dakota facility after hundreds of workers fell ill.

With pork production disrupted, some consumers again accused Smithfield of secretly importing meat from China during the shutdowns. But as always, Smithfield insisted they continued domestic US pork production. The plant closures caused no diversion to Chinese imports.

The Verdict? Smithfield Bacon is Proudly American

While Smithfield Foods is now owned by a Chinese parent company, extensive research shows their bacon production remains 100% within the United States. From farm to packaging, their pork follows a short, safe, domestic supply chain.

So lover of bacon, lover of truth – fear not. When you wake up smelling that Smithfield bacon sizzling on Sundays, you can rest assured it comes from good old American piggies. The China rumors simply don’t hold up after looking at all the facts. Now pass me some bacon!