DAKOTA DUNES, S.D.
,
Oct. 17, 2019
(GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In an effort to meet growing global demand for
U.S.
pork,
Tyson Fresh Meats
, the beef and pork subsidiary of
Tyson Foods, Inc.
(NYSE: TSN), today announced plans to prohibit the use of ractopamine in the market hogs it buys from farmers beginning in
February 2020
.
Ractopamine is a feed ingredient that helps increase the amount of lean meat in hogs. While it is FDA-approved and considered safe for use, some countries such as
China
prohibit the import of pork from hogs that have been given the product.
Tyson Fresh Meats
has been offering a limited amount of ractopamine-free pork to export customers by working with farmers who raise hogs without it, and by segregating the animals and products at processing plants. However, these programs no longer adequately meet growing global demand.
“We believe the move to prohibit ractopamine use will allow
Tyson Fresh Meats
and the farmers who supply us to compete more effectively for export opportunities in even more countries,” stated
Steve Stouffer
, President,
Tyson Fresh Meats
.
Most of the hogs delivered to the company’s pork plants are purchased from about 2,000 independent farmers.
Farmers were notified of the change Wednesday and have until
February 4, 2020
, to meet the new requirement. The company plans to work with them over the next several months to begin the process of testing hogs to ensure they are ractopamine-free.
Tyson Fresh Meats
is the largest American-owned pork processor and generates almost
$1 billion
in pork export sales annually.
About
Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc.
(NYSE: TSN) is one of the world’s largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by
John W. Tyson
and grown under three generations of family leadership, the company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like
Tyson
®
,
Jimmy Dean
®
,
Hillshire Farm
®
, Ball Park
®
, Wright
®
, Aidells
®
, ibp
®
,
and
State Fair
®
.
Tyson Foods
innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it’s available and raise the world’s expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in
Springdale, Arkansas
, the company had 121,000 team members. Through its Core Values,
Tyson Foods
strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.
Contact:
Liz Croston
, 605-235-3657,
liz.croston@tyson.com
Source:
Tyson Foods, Inc.