Tyson Foods Bans Ractopamine to Support Growing U.S. Pork Demand

On October 17, 2019, Tyson Fresh Meats, a subsidiary of Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), specializing in beef and pork, declared its intention to ban the use of ractopamine in the hogs it purchases from farmers starting February 2020. This decision is in response to the increasing global demand for U.S. pork. Ractopamine is a feed additive that enhances the lean meat content in hogs. Although approved by the FDA and deemed safe, some nations, including China, ban the import of pork from hogs fed with this ingredient. Tyson Fresh Meats has been supplying a restricted quantity of ractopamine-free pork to its international customers by collaborating with farmers who rear hogs without it and by separating the animals and products at processing facilities. However, these measures are no longer sufficient to meet the escalating global demand. Steve Stouffer, President of Tyson Fresh Meats, expressed his belief that the move to ban ractopamine use would enable Tyson Fresh Meats and its supplying farmers to compete more effectively in the global export market. The majority of the hogs received at the company's pork plants are bought from approximately 2,000 independent farmers. Farmers were informed of this change on Wednesday and have until February 4, 2020, to comply with the new requirement. The company intends to collaborate with them over the coming months to initiate the process of testing hogs to confirm they are ractopamine-free. Tyson Fresh Meats is the biggest American-owned pork processor and generates nearly $1 billion in annual pork export sales. About Tyson Foods Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is among the world's largest food corporations and a recognized leader in protein. Established in 1935 by John W. Tyson and developed under three generations of family leadership, the company offers a wide range of products and brands such as Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells®, ibp®, and State Fair®. Tyson Foods continually innovates to make protein more sustainable, customize food for every location it's available, and elevate global expectations for the potential of good food. Based in Springdale, Arkansas, the company employs 121,000 team members. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods aims to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities, and team members, and act as a responsible steward of the animals, land, and environment entrusted to it. Contact: Liz Croston, 605-235-3657