Tyson Foods Implements Safety Measures and Testing to Combat New Waves of Covid-19

SPRINGDALE, ARK. – December 3, 2020 – Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) has announced its readiness to combat new surges of the coronavirus by implementing extensive protective measures, including asymptomatic worker testing. The company has allocated $540 million to introduce protective measures in its U.S. facilities, such as temperature scanners, workstation dividers, social distance monitors, and continuous testing. It has also increased team member pay and benefits. Tyson Foods is collaborating with external health experts, expanding its health services team, creating a chief medical officer role, and planning to launch health clinics for team members and their families in the coming year. Johanna Söderström, executive vice president & chief human resources officer for Tyson Foods, stated that the company has gained significant knowledge during the pandemic and is implementing measures like a new Covid-19 testing strategy, which allows them to actively seek and combat the virus. Tyson Foods is utilizing testing as a tool and estimates that over half of its workforce has been tested for Covid-19. The company is currently testing thousands of workers weekly as part of its industry-leading monitoring strategy. In addition to testing symptomatic individuals or those who have been in close contact with an infected person, the company is also proactively testing asymptomatic workers. Dr. Daniel Castillo, chief medical officer for Matrix Medical Network, praised the new monitoring program Tyson has developed, calling it a science-first approach that is at the forefront of workplace virus risk mitigation. Tyson has also been collaborating with Matrix Medical and leading infectious disease researchers to gain more knowledge about the virus and effective strategies against it. The company has implemented a sophisticated data analysis system that continuously monitors a variety of national and local data sources to help predict future viral spread. Tyson has made several operational modifications to protect workers, such as installing HEPA high-performance air filtration systems in some plant breakrooms, conducting daily cleaning at all facilities, installing over 150 infrared temperature scanners, and designating 150 social distancing monitors. The company has hired an additional 200 nurses and administrative staff this year, bringing its total medical professionals to nearly 600. These professionals screen for symptoms, conduct testing, and track cases to assist and care for team members if they become ill. They will also provide long-term support for the company’s overall team member health and wellness efforts. Tyson has announced plans to open pilot health clinics to provide team members and their families with easier access to high-quality healthcare, usually at no cost. The locations that will be served include Carthage/Center, Texas; Berryville, Arkansas; Storm Lake, Iowa; Holcomb, Kansas; Lexington, Nebraska; Wilkesboro, North Carolina; and Newbern, Tennessee. The company has implemented a program to regularly educate team members on safety measures at work and in their personal lives, emphasizing the risks of large gatherings, confined spaces, and other potential virus-spreading behaviors. Tyson has also supported frontline workers during the pandemic by providing enhanced benefits. Tom Brower, senior vice president of Health & Safety for Tyson Foods, stated that given the reported rise of Covid-19 cases across the U.S. and other parts of the world, the company must remain diligent in its efforts to protect its team members. The company is committed to continuing to work with outside health experts to find new, even more effective ways to tackle the virus. Tyson Foods is partnering with the Institute for Food Safety at Cornell University to provide input into a computer modeling project designed to optimize strategies to mitigate spread. In August, the company gathered an independent panel of experts to address workplace safety in the Covid-19 era, leading to the creation of a white paper documenting key discussion points and suggestions on future areas of research. About Tyson Foods Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is one of the world’s largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. The company was founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and has 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 continually innovates 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. The company is headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, and has 139,000 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. Visit TYSONFOODS.COM to learn more. Media contact: Derek Burleson, 479-290-6466