Tyson Fresh Meats Partners with IdentiGEN to Implement DNA Tracing for Beef

DNA TraceBack® to Aid Open Prairie® Natural Angus Beef March 14, 2019 — Dakota Dunes, S.D. – Tyson Fresh Meats, a subsidiary of Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) specializing in beef and pork, is partnering with IdentiGEN to utilize DNA technology for tracing beef back to its original animal. The DNA TraceBack® system from IdentiGEN will be instrumental in tracing the cattle bred for Tyson’s Open Prairie® Natural Angus Beef. A DNA sample from cattle involved in the Open Prairie program will be utilized to track the source of individual beef cuts as they traverse the supply chain. The DNA TraceBack process aims to reassure customers that the Open Prairie beef products they purchase originate from ranches where the cattle were bred to meet specific criteria. “This is about satisfying the increasing demand for more transparency in food production,” stated Kent Harrison, vice president of marketing and premium programs at Tyson Fresh Meats. “Through DNA TraceBack, we’re offering our retail and foodservice customers scientific proof that they’re purchasing high-quality, natural beef from cattle bred as we promised.” “We’re thrilled to collaborate with an industry pioneer like Tyson Fresh Meats,” said Kent Partida, vice president of North American business development for IdentiGEN. “Our DNA TraceBack program is the most sophisticated meat traceability system available and uses nature’s barcode to connect meat from the point of sale back to its source. It will allow retail and foodservice customers of Open Prairie beef to confidently share their traceability narrative with consumers.” The Open Prairie brand is consistently growing to satisfy the increasing demand for the natural beef line. The product specifications – which are verified by a third party – include no artificial ingredients, 100 percent vegetarian diet, traceability to the birth ranch, Angus beef, USDA Prime and Choice, and strict animal welfare standards. Cattle for the program are bred by independent ranchers, primarily from Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Washington, and Nebraska. The beef is processed by the Tyson Fresh Meats plant in Lexington, Nebraska. About Tyson Foods Tyson Foods, Inc., (NYSE: TSN) is among the world’s largest food corporations and a recognized protein leader. Established in 1935 by John W. Tyson and developed under three generations of family leadership, the company has a wide range 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, customize food for everywhere it’s available and elevate the world’s expectations for how much good food can do. The company, headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, had 121,000 team members as of September 29, 2018. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods aims 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 www.tysonfoods.com. About IdentiGEN IdentiGEN is the premier global provider of DNA identification solutions to the international agri-food industry. IdentiGEN has laboratory operations in the United States, Ireland, UK, and Europe with the company’s North American headquarters in Lawrence, KS. Visit www.identigen.com. * Minimally processed. No artificial ingredients. #### Contact: Liz Croston, Tyson Fresh Meats, liz.croston@tyson.com, 605-235-3657 Category: IR, Newsroom