If you live in America, odds are that all of your poultry products come from one of the top poultry producers in the country. The posts being shared on social media channels are a hoax. View Eligible plants to export to China in a full screen map On Nov. 14, China lifted a four-year ban on US poultry imports. Chicken Processed In China May Begin Showing Up In U.S. November 1, 2013 / 11:42 PM / CBS San Francisco. Jenna Wollin, a spokeswoman for Smithfield Foods, said in an email to USA TODAY that claims aboutChina slaughtering and processing hogs and shipping them back to the U.S. is absolutely false.. CHINA/IMPORTS: IS MY CHICKEN COMING FROM CHINA, OR OTHER COUNTRIES? China has been able to process chicken from the United States since 2013, when four chicken processors were approved to export cooked poultry products from birds raised in the U.S., Canada and Chile. With the US producing 23 million tons of poultry in 2020, well start by breaking down the top ten poultry companies in America. A message to the Facebook user who shared the information was not returned. The email exchange between FSIS and CVCA officials reveals that FSIS believed only Shandong and Anhui Provinces maintained government oversight of certified establishments, based on the previous correspondence. What was the previous correspondence? Smithfield Foods, an American meat-processing company, faces criticism in a claim shared by Facebook users saying hogs will be raised in the U.S. and sent to China to be slaughtered and. 2023 Minnesota Public Radio. In 2017,therules were changed, and the first known shipment of cooked chicken from poultry raised in China arrived in the U.S., according to the Washington Post. So no U.S.D.A. The U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is responsible for ensuring that Americas supply of meat, poultry, processed egg products are safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and packaged. A December 2013 USDA audit found that Chinas poultry slaughter system is not yet equivalent to that of the United States in terms of food safety practices. Other specific claims in the post included that fish on fish farms are fed raw sewage and raised in filthy conditions where food colorings and some flavorings are added and then sent to Canada and the U.S. They ship it to you to buy and poison your families and friends, the post alleges. Chinese poultry supplier provided Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants in China with chicken fattened by large quantities of illegal drugs. They provide both retail and wholesale products for various businesses. USA TODAY reached out to the user who shared the claim for comment. I sure hope I can trust Purdue. Since starting in 1965, Wayne Farms has grown to be an important American poultry producer. What it wants is to become the leading player in China., Smithfields website further states that Smithfield has not, does not, and will not import any products from China to the United States. But the regulation doesnt include cooked and other further processed products potentially imported, and companies arent required to let consumers know if that processed chicken is in the products they consume. A likelier scenario is that any chickens exported to China from America would be processed and sold there for domestic consumption (not reshipped to the U.S.), and China's long-term goal is to export chickens raised and processed there to the U.S.: The notion of sending American chicken to be processed in China and sent back, then, is an interim step in the larger business negotiation. A handful of Chinese processing plants have been allowed to use raw poultry raised in the U.S. and export cooked products back for years. Well, I'm here to report that it is the best orange chicken in any store. Ask us about our Social Media NICHE Marketing Service, designed to attract and engage with customers looking for your Made in USA product and/or services! The US may be the biggest poultry producer in the world, but there are other countries that come close. Regulation can get very complicated: labeling, minimum wages, climate change, even avian flu can be brought in to this issue. Smithfield says its now retooling one of its plants here in the U.S. to make more meat for American consumers. If this chicken is raised locally, shipped to China for processing and returned to your local store, will it be labeled as a locally grown chicken? Despite China's long history of livestock production and meat (such as pork, lamb, beef, and poultry) consumption, meat has not always been accessible and affordable for the common population. By special request, todays blog will not be about pigs but chicken! WHY???? Their poultry products go directly to consumers as well as to restaurants and food suppliers. There has been a push in this country for transparency from farm gate to dinner plate. Launched in June 2020, menu items from It's Just Wings are prepared in the kitchens of 1,000 company-operated Chili's . Wuchang rice is extremely aromatic,soft, slightly sweet and slightly sticky. Under the Pilgrims brand are also labels like Just BARE Chicken, Goldn Plump, Pierce Chicken, and Savoro. There is no evidence proving this claim, and officials contacted denied the information in the post; it is, therefore, not supported by our research. Hoax: China Poultry Exports to U.S. All of the chicken Tyson Foods sells in the U.S. is raised and processed here in the U.S. We do not use chicken imported from other countries in our products. Another major meat processor, JBS, says it has reduced its exports to meet U.S. demand. 2021 sales: $3.6 billion. The Winner: Trader Joes Mandarin Orange Chicken, $4.99 for 22 ounces. In 2013, shareholders of Smithfield Foods voted to approve a partnership with Shuanghui International Holdings Limited, a private company based in Hong Kong that holds a majority of shares in Chinas largest meat processor,Henan Shuanghui Investment & Development Co. Ltd. Forbes magazine reported that a growing demand due to large populations, rising production costs and repeated concerns about quality formed the basis of Shuanghui Internationals quest to acquire the North American meat producer., Forbes also reported the Chinese acquisition of Smithfield does not mean that Americans will be eating Chinese cuts. The PERDUE brand is now the first brand of chicken with USDA Process Verified Programs assuring consumers that all of its products, and not just those covered by Country of Origin labeling regulations, are made exclusively with U.S.-raised chicken. Their products are sold in grocery stores across the company, which includes products under the Hormel brand as well as their subsidiaries like Applegate, Country Crock, Jennie-O, and Spam. The shrimp China sends to the United States is feed chicken shit, now they want to send us the chickens. 12. Amount of poultry produced in 2019: 20 million tons If you look at the first quarter, January to March, the company Smithfield, which is owned by a Chinese firm, was the biggest exporter of American pork to China. The most important key figures provide you with a compact summary of the topic of "Meat industry in China" and take you straight to the corresponding statistics. In a July 8email to USA TODAY, a spokesperson for the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, said that rigorous standards are used when inspecting food from China. She isa senior member of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee andchairs the Congressional Food Safety Caucus. Many Americans are concerned about food safety and rightly so. This text provides general information. We have no plans to raise or process chicken in China to be returned to the U.S. Any post that claims otherwise is a hoax. Answer (1 of 2): In the US: Most raw chicken is minimally processed. And if no such labeling is required, then how else will U.S. consumers be able to make informed decisions about the chicken or poultry product that they put into their bodies? Shelf Life: 18 - 24 Months We have no plans to cut jobs or process chicken in China to be returned to the U.S. National Chicken Council spokesperson Tom Super described the Facebook post as "fake news" in a July 12 email to USA TODAY. How green is this move? Is there an on-site audit planning for China in 2019? They can now be shipped there, but when they come back all that needs to be labeled is that they WERE RAISED IN THE USA.. Weve been reporting on shortages in U.S. supermarkets with meat processing plants closed after workers were getting sick from the coronavirus. Putting the Raised Cage-Free in the USA Process Verification on products that arent covered by Country of Origin Labeling regulations, along with the Product of the USA seal, is another example of that leadership. Smithfield Foods and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration deny the claims in the post about the processing of the animals and the products listed as unsafe. The global poultry industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% through 2030. Chickens are commonly raised for their meat, eggs, or companionship when kept as pets. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date Fact check: Smithfield Foods is not selling meat that was slaughtered, processed in China, China's food safety system for poultry received the "equivalent" designation in2019, when the USDA said a review of the countrys poultry laws and regulations found that they were equivalent to the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA), the regulations implementing this statute, and the United States food safety system for poultry., As part of that equivalence decision, which the spokesperson said came after "extensive documentation" and audits, China was also permitted to export processed chicken products from birds slaughtered and processed in certified [Chinese] establishments.. US chicken exports to the country could top $2B. The company produces raw meat products to sell in grocery stores as well as ready-made products like chicken nuggets and grilled chicken. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. But a congressional food safety expert says two of three new Chinese poultry processing plants eligible since late 2017 to export products to the United States are located in provinces never subjected to equivalency auditing by USDAs Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. DeLauro is referring to emails between Chinas Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) and FSIS officials in 2017 that discussed whether China maintains oversight of all its establishments regardless of provincial location. Pilgrims is one of the largest poultry producers in the US that produces poultry exclusively. When it comes to their poultry, they are known for selling a wide variety alongside chicken and turkey, plus they are able to sell specialty meats and cuts. If a country requests to export an FSIS-regulated product to the United States, FSIS is obligated to undergo a thorough process to determine whether or not that countrys food safety system is equivalent to ours to ensure that American consumers would receive food that is safe to eat. Add transportation time and costs, and profits from the trade are likely to be limited or eliminated -- unless there is a secret element to the . Thank you forsupporting our journalism. It came after a trade deal, supported by then-President Donald Trump, to send more U.S. beef to China while receiving more Chinese poultry inthe U.S.,the Post reported. One cant read the disparities in minimum wage without thinking about the ongoing debate in this country to increase the minimum wage. Together with its subsidiaries, it operates major food brands, including Jimmy Dean . M eat processing is a highly automated process. I heard that that the U.S. may soon begin importing cooked chicken from China. ), Oysters harvested in Florida linked to three-state Salmonella outbreak, Cocktail shrimp sold at Lidl stores recalled after testing finds Listeria, CDC declares Salmonella outbreak linked to sprouts over, Canned shrimp recalled over reports of swelling, leaking and bursting cans, Its time for a Department of Food and Nutrition, The FDA plan: The morning after the morning after, The matrix has failed, the system has crashed; FDA needs a new food approach. Smithfield, which is now owned by a Chinese firm, was the biggest exporter of American pork to China in the first quarter. Since 2013 China has confirmed 1,557 human cases of AH7N9 flu and 370 deaths. Austin, Minnesota They employ over 140,000 employees across their plants in 24 states including Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin. The first selection on this list is Yoders Fully Cooked Canned Chicken Chunks Case. 2021 sales: $11.386 billion. Kristi Noem and Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken urged Smithfield Foods in a letter to cease operations for two weeks to clean the facility and have employees recover from any illness. After all, its requiring more energy to ship to and from China! Research expert covering e-commerce and FMCG in Greater China. On the retail side, they provide raw poultry products for grocery stores and other retailers while their wholesale products include both raw and pre-cooked products, including whole chickens, chicken tenders, and specific chicken parts in bulk. Per FSIS policy, each country eligible to export products to the United States should be identified, by performance, as adequate, average, or well-performing to determine the frequency at which FSIS will conduct Ongoing Equivalence Verification Audits. Im asking a lot of questions today, but as you can see, this is not a simple issue. Were going to walk through other top poultry producers and give you some facts about them. After taking on internships and entry-level jobs, she is familiar with the job search process and landing that crucial first job. Some of their pre-cooked offerings include chicken wings, grilled chicken and turkey, and breaded chicken tenders. Trade between countries can get complicated because one little issue can affect many other issues. About a third of all U.S. produced pork has been exported so far this year. Strom, Stephanie. BOYCOTT!! Fresh chicken is injected with a solution of saltwater so it stays juicier and more flavorful (so they say). GMOs,processed poisonplease research the TRUTH. (I dont have enough space to delve deeper into this this angle today, but I certainly want to in a future blog post.) Almost 10 years ago, the Department of Agriculture gave Chinese processing plants the greenlightto process raw poultry fromthe U.S.and exportcooked productssuch as canned chicken noodle soup and chicken nuggetsback to America. A boon for local butchers is a hurdle for hunters, Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. Were any of these newly certified Chinese poultry processing plants recently inspected by the CNCA, or similar authority? Gomez, Christian. They employ over 35,000 people across their factories and divisions. Hopefully other manufactures will make the same commitment and not like to us, Naive?? By Dan Flynn on July 23, 2018. It appears this decision is motivated by money, so lets follow the money and see if we can uncover the motive. Springdale, AR Amanda is a writer with experience in various industries, including travel, real estate, and career advice. Its work using the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to dig the emails out of FSIS appears to have helped frame DeLauros questions to Perdue. A day before the announcement, Gov. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. Are you interested in testing our business solutions? Perdue got its start as a family-run company in 1920 and members of the Perdue family still play large roles in its management and direction to this day. The report did not specify how much, if any, of that quantity was from birds raised and slaughtered in the United States, sent to China for processing and returned to the country. From the very beginning, the PERDUE brand has been building trust with consumers by going above and beyond government requirements. Market size of chicken essence in China's market 2010-2020. The U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service regulates aspects of the safety and labeling of traditional (non-game) meats, poultry, and certain egg products, she said. 25, 2022, https://www.zippia.com/advice/largest-poultry-companies/. 2021 sales: $47.049 billion. However, the decision to allow U.S.-raised chicken to be processed in China creates more questions about transparency in this process, as well as raises many questions about food safety. Unlike gastrointestinal (GI) viruses like norovirus and hepatitis A that often make people ill through contaminated food, SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, is a virus that causes respiratory illness. USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Nov. 8, 2019. 5-ranked Koch Foods reported it held production steady in 2015. Their operations cover both wholesale products and direct food service. Another issue this situation raises is confusion over the locally raised label. National Chicken Council, accessed July 11. The largest poultry company in the U.S. is Cargill Meat Solutions, with $134.4 billion in sales and a market share of 22%. Their products include all kinds of meats, like poultry, beef, and pork. Smithfield Foods, an American meat-processing company, faces criticism in a claim shared by Facebook users saying hogs will be raised in the U.S. and sent to China to be slaughtered and packaged before coming back here. USDA recently announced the . If so, why does FSIS believe this? Does FSIS still believe that only Shandong and Anhui Providences maintain government oversight of certified establishments? Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com. Because of the economies of scale achieved by the U.S. chicken industry, it is difficult for any country to compete domestically in the United States. None currently come from China. Smithfield Farms partnered with WH Group in 2013 and was not recently sold to China. The New York Times. In response, over the past several years FSIS has reviewed Chinas poultry food safety system in two parts: one system for processing poultry, and one system for slaughtering poultry. This does not pertain to chickens that were raised in China. I heard that that the U.S. may soon begin importing cooked chicken from China. More and more consumers wants to know how food is grown here. "Campbell sources all of its beef products from USDA-approved suppliers in the U.S. and South America and some of its organic beef is sourced from Australia. The regulations were expanded years later to include chickens slaughtered in China. China, along with a number of other Asian nations, blocked US beef imports in 2003 after a . Weekly National Chicken Report National Chicken, Parts - Cents Per Lb Domestic - Fresh - Conventional - FOB Current Week's Trading Previous Week's Trading Price Range Wtd Avg Change 1,000 lbs Wtd Avg 1,000 lbs Backs and Necks Stripped: Breast - B/S: Breast - Line Run: 112.00 - 123.00 116.16 0.84 174 115.32 158 Were going to take a look at the biggest poultry companies in the world. Smithfield Foods is a Virginia-based company and is the worlds largest pork processor and hog producer;it produces a variety of brand name meats and partnered with a Chinese company long before the COVID-19 pandemic. 6-ranked Wayne Farms raised RTC chicken production from 45.39 million to 47.68 million pounds weekly or by 5.0 percent. . Foodborne exposure to this virus is not known to be a route of transmission.. Information:Customer Service. Two of three new poultry processors in Chinese provinces never audited. Still, others are especially suited to confinement and take well to human relationships . Numerous distinctive sorts of preparing could be finished on different meat products. Statista assumes no Pre-cooked chicken may have many d. The post also urges people to stay away from packages stating prepared for, packaged by or imported by and suggests that other food products like fruit cups, Steinfelds Pickles and canned mushrooms are not safe. Monique Richards, a spokeswoman for the FDA, said in an email to USA TODAY that the items listed in the claims such as Starkist Tuna, Green Giant frozen vegetables and garlic are safe. Their sales also include large restaurant customers, like Burger King, Kroger, and Walmart. The cost of loneliness: Social isolation holds back workers and costs employers billions, Businesses and consumers are borrowing more, despite rising interest rates, Why a Guarneri violin is expected to fetch $10 million at auction. Processing plants run by Sanderson, Pilgrim's Pride Corp and other companies also have been cleared to ship U.S. poultry to China,. If so, how does the department justify the determination? First, there's the decade of maneuvering between the US and China over meat exports in both directions. Poultry value 2019: $21.3 billion, Amount of poultry produced in 2019: 12 million tons For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you. I will only buy American grown and processed food. If not, why? Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. More than 99% of the chicken sold in the United States comes from chickens hatched, raised and processed in the United States. Get in touch with us. Under the rules,chicken processed in China would notrequirecountry-of-origin labeling, meaning consumers would notknow "if the chicken came from Chinese processing plants,"according to the Times. Most others, including kung pao, are *velveted* (treated with a slurry of rice vinegar, egg white, and corn starch) before cooking. Feldman, Claudia. Does the chicken ever leave American soil? If USDA inspectors will not be on site in China, how will U.S. consumers know whether or not the poultry has been mishandled during processing, tampered with, or contaminated? "The 10 Largest Poultry Companies In The United States" Zippia.com. Hormel is another huge company that youre probably familiar with since its more consumer-facing than other companies on this list. China is already the third leading supplier of food and agricultural imports to the United States. In substance, these rumors echoed another issue from the same timeframe regarding the acquisition of Smithfield Foods by a Chinese company, Shuanghui International Holdings, which led to similar claims that U.S.-raised hogs would be shipped to China, slaughtered and packaged for sale there, and sent back to the U.S. Follow us on Facebook!Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks. The closure of this facility, combined with a growing list of other protein plants have shuttered across our industry, is pushing our country perilously close to the edge in terms of our meat supply, said President and CEO Kenneth Sullivan in the news release.