SMITHFIELD, Va., April 23, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods, Inc. (NYSE:SFD) announced today that it has moved up 10 spots to rank 166th on the latest Maplecroft Climate Innovation Indexes (CIIs), which evaluate major U.S. companies on how well they manage climate change, introduce technological innovations and manage carbon emissions.
Smithfield ranked 248th in 2009 and 176th in 2010 during the first two years that Maplecroft conducted its evaluations of the largest U.S. companies, which expanded to include 360 companies this year.
Maplecroft, a risk analysis company headquartered in Bath, United Kingdom, rates each company against more than 100 criteria, including developing technological innovations and new working practices to combat climate change impacts; managing climate-related issues; adapting to physical climate-related risks, such as flooding or more extreme weather events throughout the supply chain; and reducing GHG emissions.
"We're very proud that Maplecroft has again recognized Smithfield for our ongoing efforts to be a socially responsible company. This is a tribute to our employees, who are working very hard every day to achieve our sustainability commitments," said Dennis H. Treacy, executive vice president and chief sustainability officer.
In its review of how Smithfield performed during the past year, Maplecroft said Smithfield scored well above average in the 'Emissions Reductions' category, achieving the highest score in the food industry subsector, and scored above average in the Management Systems category.
Maplecroft said Smithfield's "selected strengths" included the company's participation in the National Pork Board's study and analysis of the carbon footprint of pork, and the company's annual Environmental Training Conference for "engaging its employees through a comprehensive CSR education program."
For more information about Smithfield Foods' corporate social responsibility commitments and activities, please visit www.smithfieldcommitments.com.
About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $13 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 Farmland®, Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Armour® and John Morrell®. 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 and www.smithfieldcommitments.com.
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