September 24/Smithfield, Va./PRNewswire-FirstCall -- The company reports its vertical integration and unique supply network are enabling Smithfield to offer its customers safe pork labeled as born, raised and processed in the U.S. in compliance with the "soon-to-be-effective" Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (mCOOL) program.

Given this system in place, effective April 2009 Smithfield intends to procure only hogs born and raised in the U.S. for processing at its U.S. fresh meat facilities and will label fresh pork for retail as born, raised and processed in the United States. Smithfield expects that any independent producer who wishes to be a valued supplier of live animals to Smithfield will work with the company between now and the end of March to create a fully documented and transparent supply of hogs born and raised in the United States.

From the September 29, 2008, Prepared Foods e-Flash