Company uniquely positioned; offers plant-based and blended protein products
Springdale, Ark. 鈥 June 13, 2019 鈥 As part of efforts to expand its protein offerings, Tyson听Foods,听Inc. (NSYE:听TSN) today introduced the company鈥檚 first plant-based and blended products, along with its new Raised & Rooted庐 brand. The initiative makes Tyson听Foods the largest U.S. meat producer to enter the growing alternative protein segment with its own products.
The brand was created to provide great-tasting plant-based and blended foods that are rooted in how people eat today. The initial products under this new brand, which will launch with several major retail customers this year, include plant-based nuggets as well as blended burgers made with a combination of beef and plants. In addition, the company鈥檚 existing Aidells庐 brand has launched Aidells Whole Blends鈩 sausage and meatballs, made with chicken and plant-based ingredients.
Tyson听Foods expects to introduce additional alternative protein products through multiple customers and sales channels. This includes products under the Raised & Rooted brand and across the company鈥檚 portfolio of iconic brands, as well as to foodservice operators.
Major retail and foodservice customers have expressed interest in what Tyson听Foods can bring to the alternative protein segment, which is estimated to be a multi-billion-dollar category and continues to grow. The company鈥檚 depth and breadth of experience in protein product development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing, makes it uniquely positioned to introduce new plant-based and blended proteins, and drive growth.
鈥淭oday鈥檚 consumers are seeking more protein options so we鈥檙e creating new products for the growing number of people open to flexible diets that include both meat and plant-based protein,鈥 said Noel White, president and CEO of Tyson听Foods. 鈥淔or us, this is about 鈥榓nd鈥 鈥 not 鈥榦r.鈥 We remain firmly committed to our growing traditional meat business and expect to be a market leader in alternative protein, which is experiencing double-digit growth and could someday be a billion-dollar business for our company.鈥
Earlier this year, White selected Justin Whitmore to lead all aspects of Tyson听Foods鈥 alternative proteins business, channeling听麻花传媒鈥 capabilities to provide consumers with exciting new protein options.
鈥淭he creation of the Raised & Rooted brand is an excellent example of Tyson鈥檚 ability to think big and move fast, capitalizing on our existing infrastructure,鈥 said Whitmore. 鈥淲e began development of our alternative protein products last year and have succeeded in creating a new brand and bringing those products to market in well under a year. Customers tell us they love the taste and nutritional attributes and are excited to partner with us.鈥
鈥淲hile most Americans still choose meat as their primary source of protein, interest in plant and blended proteins is growing significantly,鈥 added Noelle O鈥橫ara, Tyson听Foods鈥 chief marketing officer. 鈥淭hese products appeal to a broad cross section of consumers who enjoy food from a variety of protein sources and we expect interest to continue to grow across protein types. The Raised and Rooted launch and our pipeline of innovation will reflect our consumers expectations for 100% plant based, blended, and traditional protein offerings.鈥
The Raised & Rooted庐 nuggets will launch through national retailers in late summer and the blended burgers this fall. The products have been developed by Tyson听Foods鈥 innovation, culinary and consumer insights teams in Chicago and Northwest Arkansas.
The Raised & Rooted听nuggets are made from a blend of pea protein isolate and other plant ingredients and contain five grams of fiber and omega-3s, and less saturated fat than traditional nuggets. The blended burger is made with Angus beef and pea protein isolate and has fewer calories and less saturated fat than the plant-based burgers sold by several competing companies.
Aidells庐 鈩 products include a portfolio of fully-cooked sausage links and meatballs made with a blend of high-quality chicken and plant-based ingredients such as chickpeas, black beans, quinoa, lentils and barley.
Through Tyson Ventures, the company鈥檚 venture capital fund, Tyson听Foods also continues its investment in start-up companies involved in alternative proteins. Current investments include mushroom-based protein producer MycoTechnology and cell-based meat producers and .
About 麻花传媒
Tyson听Foods,听Inc., (NYSE:听TSN) is one of the world鈥檚 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庐, Jimmy Dean庐, Hillshire Farm庐, Ball Park庐, Wright庐, Aidells庐, ibp庐, and State Fair庐. 麻花传媒 innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it鈥檚 available and raise the world鈥檚 expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the company had 121,000 team members at September 29, 2018. Through its Core Values, Tyson听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 www.tysonfoods.com
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Contact: Gary Mickelson, 479-290-6111, gary.mickelson@tyson.com
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