DeLauro Statement on Sale of Smithfield Foods to Chinese Company

Shuanghui International Foods Has History of TaintedFood

NEW HAVEN, CT—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) released thefollowing statement today on the announcement Shuanghui International agreed tobuy Smithfield Foods. DeLauro is a longtime advocate for ensuring America'sfood supply is safe for consumers and is a former Chairwoman of thesubcommittee responsible for funding the Agriculture Department.

"This potential merger raises real food safety concerns thatshould alarm consumers. We know that Chinese food products have been athreat to public health and that Shuanghui was found to have produced and soldtainted pork. This merger may only make it more difficult to protect thefood supply. I have deep doubts about whether this merger best serves Americanconsumers and urge federal regulators to put their concerns first. I will be intouch with regulators throughout this process to ensure the public health andsafety of the American public is safeguarded."