SMITHFIELD, VA. — John Morrell & Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced on Jan. 5 that the company now owns the remaining interest in Premium Pet Health, LLC.

John Morrell said it acquired the remaining 49% interest in Premium Pet Health, which is a protein by-product processor that supplies many of the leading pet food processors in the U.S.


"We are pleased to now be the sole owner of Premium Pet Health," said C. Larry Pope, president and chief executive officer. "As we continue to focus on our core businesses, it is logical for us to invest in a company that is synergistic to our fresh pork processing business and also has a superior return on invested capital."