Tyson Foods to Stop Using Antibiotics in Chicken

24 Feb 2017 --- Tyson, the second-largest poultry company in the world has announced that it will stop using antibiotics on its chickens by June 2017. The decision to end the use of antibiotics is expected to cover all of the company’s branded chicken products, as well as the NatureRaised Farms brand.

Tyson Foods, which slaughters more than 2.3 billion birds each year, made the announcement at a recent Consumer Analyst Group of New York conference in Boca Raton, Florida. 

Tyson Foods President and CEO Tom Hayes has outlined his vision for how the company will shape the future of food. Hayes said the company is strong today and will lead for tomorrow by growing its portfolio of protein-packed brands and delivering sustainable food at scale.

"The purpose of our company is to raise the world’s expectations for how much good food can do, and we’re uniquely positioned to deliver just that," said Hayes.

The company will continue investing in innovation that will bring to market a wide variety of new products that meet consumers’ desire for fresh food, more protein and in flexible forms that can be eaten seamlessly throughout the day. The company highlighted a dozen new products and announced that all Tyson consumer brand products would feature chicken with No Antibiotics Ever (NAE).

"We're driving growth through strong innovation and brand-building," said Grimes.

Tyson Foods also is deepening its commitment to a more sustainable food system. The company will innovate to develop new solutions that deliver healthier food, healthier animals, healthier workplaces and a healthier environment. In this commitment, the company sees a long-term opportunity to grow and increase profits sustainably. Tyson Foods' holistic sustainability plan includes commitments such as:

Expanding its NAE chicken offerings, making Tyson Foods the world's leading producer of NAE chicken
• Setting a goal of reducing workplace injuries and illnesses by 15 percent year over year.
• Establishing strategic partnerships to set science-based sustainability goal.
• Continuing third-party audits of farms to certify humane treatment of chickens.
• Improving how chickens are raised through a concept farm, with innovations designed to be better for the birds, the environment and food safety.
• Increasing transparency across the business, including sustainability efforts.

"For us, sustainability isn't a single issue; it's about focusing on multiple dimensions in order to advance the whole," said Hayes. "We will use our reach, capabilities and resources to drive positive change at a scale we believe no other company can match."

Hayes also said the company's new approach to financial fitness will fund investment in long-term growth. It will include efforts to reduce waste across the company, the allocation of capital for growth and transforming business models through technology.

Also reflecting the new direction of the company, Tyson Foods today unveiled a new corporate logo.