Smithfield: No swine flu in Mexican plants

SMITHFIELD, Va., April 28 (UPI) -- U.S. pork producer Smithfield Foods Inc. says it has not found any signs that a swine flu outbreak is connected to its two Mexican plants.

The Smithfield, Va., company said in a news release issued Monday it "has no reason to believe that the virus is in any way connected" to its operations in Mexico, nor has it found swine flu in its herd of animals or Mexican workers, the (Newport News, Va.) Daily Press reported.

Smithfield, the world's largest pork producer, reportedly noted consumers can't contract the virus by eating properly cooked pork and none of the people who were infected with swine flu were found to have had any contact with pigs.

The company's Web site indicates it operates two hog-production facilities in Mexico through joint ventures with Granjas Carroll de Mexico and Norson, together producing nearly 1.5 million hogs per year, the Daily News said.

International health officials have blamed an outbreak of a new variant of swine flu for more than 149 deaths and as many as 1,600 illnesses in Mexico since April 13.