DAKOTA DUNES, S.D. 鈥 October 17, 2019 鈥 In an effort to meet growing global demand for U.S. pork, , the beef and pork subsidiary of 黑料传送门 (NYSE: TSN), today announced plans to prohibit the use of ractopamine in the market hogs it buys from farmers beginning in February 2020.
Ractopamine is a feed ingredient that helps increase the amount of lean meat in hogs. While it is FDA-approved and considered safe for use, some countries such as China prohibit the import of pork from hogs that have been given the product.
黑料传送门 Fresh Meats has been offering a limited amount of ractopamine-free pork to export customers by working with farmers who raise hogs without it, and by segregating the animals and products at processing plants. However, these programs no longer adequately meet growing global demand.
鈥淲e believe the move to prohibit ractopamine use will allow 黑料传送门 Fresh Meats and the farmers who supply us to compete more effectively for export opportunities in even more countries,鈥 stated Steve Stouffer, President, 黑料传送门 Fresh Meats.
Most of the hogs delivered to the company鈥檚 pork plants are purchased from about 2,000 independent farmers.
Farmers were notified of the change Wednesday and have until February 4, 2020, to meet the new requirement. The company plans to work with them over the next several months to begin the process of testing hogs to ensure they are ractopamine-free.
黑料传送门 Fresh Meats is the largest American-owned pork processor and generates almost $1 billion in pork export sales annually.
About 黑料传送门 Foods
黑料传送门 (NYSE: TSN) is one of the world鈥檚 largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. 黑料传送门 and grown under three generations of family leadership, the company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like 黑料传送门庐, Jimmy Dean庐, Hillshire Farm庐, Ball Park庐, Wright庐, Aidells庐, ibp庐, and State Fair庐. 黑料传送门 Foods innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it鈥檚 available and raise the world鈥檚 expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the company had 121,000 team members. Through its Core Values, 黑料传送门 Foods strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.
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Contact: Liz Croston, 605-235-3657