SMITHFIELD, Va., July 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recent media reports regarding Smithfield Foods, Inc. closing its smokehouse that produces Genuine Smithfield Ham in Smithfield, Virginia, are sensationalized and exaggerated. Contrary to these media reports, Smithfield has absolutely no intention of ceasing production of Genuine Smithfield Ham in the town of Smithfield, Virginia. No company representative has ever said otherwise. The company simply shuttered one of the oldest buildings on our large Smithfield, Virginia, complex while we evaluate the best site to produce our Genuine Smithfield Ham going forward.

Consumers needn’t worry: we have plenty of Genuine Smithfield Hams in inventory. This affords us the opportunity to assess alternatives for the production of our Genuine Smithfield Ham while continuing to supply this product to our loyal consumers.

In addition, our smokehouse employees have been relocated to another facility on our Smithfield, Virginia, campus.

—Statement can be attributed to Keira Lombardo, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Smithfield Foods, Inc.

About Smithfield Foods Smithfield Foods is a $15 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®, Nathan’s Famous®, Farmland®, Armour®, Farmer John®, Kretschmar®, John Morrell®, Cook’s®, Gwaltney®, Carando®, Margherita®, Curly’s®, Healthy Ones®, Morliny®, Krakus® and Berlinki®. 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 .

Contact: Diana Souder Smithfield Foods, Inc. (757) 357-1675 dsouder@smithfield.com