Smithfield told not to worry about recent bad press
US - Accused by Rolling Stone magazine of churning out "a sea of waste that has destroyed rivers" and "killed millions of fish." Highlighted in a PBS television show for its long-running battle with the Food and Commercial Workers union.
2 January 2007
2 minute read
Targeted in a campaign by religious and black leaders to pressure Harris Teeter to stop carrying its products. It's been a rough few weeks for Smithfield Foods, the world's largest producer of pork.
Nearly all of the scrutiny has focused on its largest plant, in Tar Heel, N.C., south of Fayetteville. But the word has traveled far beyond southeastern North Carolina.
Rolling Stone, which published the article "Boss Hog" in mid-December, has a circulation exceeding 1.4 million, said Beth Jacobson, its publicity director in New York. The same week, the half-hour PBS show "Now " examined labor disputes at the Tar Heel plant, which employs more than 5,000. J udges and federal officials found that company leaders intimidated workers at the plant in previous unionization votes.
Source: Hampton Roads
