SMITHFIELD, Va. – During the 2019 International Production and Processing Expo, the North American Meat Institute (NAMI) awarded Doug Sutton, Ph.D., vice president of R&D with Smithfield Foods Inc., with the Foundation for Meat and Poultry Research and Education’s Scientific Achievement Award. NAMI also recognized representatives from 58 of the company’s facilities with awards for environmental achievements and 34 plants for workplace safety success.

According to the company, Sutton has played a vital role in the development and launch of new products to meet the evolving expectations of consumers during his 18 years working at Smithfield. NAMI presents the annual award to recognize those people working in the industry, academics or government who have made a significant contribution to the scientific knowledge of the meat and poultry industry.

NAMI’s environmental awards honor companies’ operations where facilities exceed environmental compliance through innovative facility upgrades and implementation of environmental programs at its plants. Plants are also awarded for continuous improvements using a four-tier system.

According to Stewart Leeth, vice president of regulatory affairs and chief sustainability officer with Smithfield, “Dr. Doug Sutton’s efforts toward scientific advancement, as well as our facility employees’ focus on important environmental and workplace safety issues, are key to the success of Smithfield’s exceedingly dynamic sustainability program.”

Smithfield’s top award-winning plants for environmental achievement included its Salt Lake City, Utah, plant and its facility in Monmouth, Illinois. The complete list of awards are available here. 

“These awards are a testament to how our employees implement innovative solutions to deliver high-quality products to customers and consumers, protect our environment, and ensure worker safety,” Leeth said.