OMG! Large percentage of American pork is fed a drug so toxic that is banned in 168 Countries.

Major Producers/Processors (Ractopamine-Free or Largely So)

• Tyson Foods (Tyson Fresh Meats): Prohibited ractopamine in market hogs starting around 2020. They work with farmers raising hogs without it and segregate products. Brands include Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, etc.
• JBS USA: Stopped using ractopamine (along with Tyson and others) for similar export reasons. Brands include Swift and Swift Premium.
• Hormel Foods: As of around 2020 (with full implementation by 2026 reports), no longer accepts pork from hogs fed or exposed to ractopamine. This is their third major move alongside Tyson and JBS.
• Smithfield Foods: Has long produced significant volumes of ractopamine-free pork (e.g., 50%+ of operations years ago, with dedicated ractopamine-free plants and feed mills). They lead in supplying export markets.

Note: Even with these shifts, not every product from these companies is guaranteed ractopamine-free in every market or batch—check labels or contact the company for specifics, as domestic supply chains can differ from export ones. Smaller/Specialty Producers and Brands. These often market explicitly as ractopamine-free (or no growth promotants), especially organic and natural/ pastured operations:

• Tendergrass Farms: Pasture-raised, all-natural pork. They pioneered USDA-approved “no ractopamine” labeling and explicitly state pigs are never fed beta-agonists like ractopamine.
• Beeler’s Pure Pork: Antibiotic-free, heritage Duroc pork. Explicitly vegetarian-fed with diets free of growth promotants or ractopamine. Available in retail and restaurants.
• Organic pork producers: USDA Organic certification prohibits synthetic growth promoters like ractopamine. Look for any certified organic brand (e.g., various local or national organic labels).

Tips for Buying Ractopamine-Free Pork

• Look for labels: “No ractopamine,” “raised without ractopamine,” “beta-agonist free,” or USDA Organic/verified programs. The USDA has allowed specific “no ractopamine” claims since around 2015.
• Organic or “natural”: These are safest bets, as they avoid growth promotants by standard.
• Local farms/pastured: Many small/regional producers (e.g., via farmers’ markets, CSAs, or direct sales) never use it—ask about their practices.
• Retailers: Some stores (e.g., Whole Foods, certain co-ops) emphasize ractopamine-free or antibiotic-free options. Export-oriented supply has increased domestic availability.

Ractopamine use has declined industry-wide due to trade pressures, but it’s not banned in the U.S., so confirmation via labels or producer statements is best. For the most current details on a specific brand, check their website or contact them directly, as policies can evolve.