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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – SPRINGDALE, Ark., April 28, 2015 — Tyson Foods, Inc.(NYSE:TSN) said today it is striving to eliminate the use of humanantibiotics from its U.S. broiler* chicken flocks by the end of September 2017. The company will report annually on its progress,
beginning with its fiscal 2015 Sustainability Report. Tyson Foods has
already stopped using all antibiotics in its 35 broiler hatcheries,
requires a veterinary prescription for antibiotics used on broiler
farms and has reduced human antibiotics used to treat broiler chickens
by more than 80 percent since 2011.
“Antibiotic resistant infections are a global health concern,” said
Donnie Smith, president and CEO of Tyson Foods. “We’re confident our
meat and poultry products are safe**, but want to do our part to
responsibly reduce human antibiotics on the farm so these medicines can
continue working when they’re needed to treat illness.”
“Given the progress we’ve already made reducing antibiotics in our
broilers, we believe it’s realistic to shoot for zero by the end of our
2017 fiscal year. But we won’t jeopardize animal well-being just to get
there. We’ll use the best available treatments to keep our chickens
healthy, under veterinary supervision,” Smith said.
Tyson Foods is also forming working groups with independent farmers and
others in the company’s beef, pork and turkey supply chains to discuss
ways to reduce the use of human antibiotics on cattle, hog and turkey
farms. Those groups will begin meeting this summer.
Tyson Foods’ international business is committed to taking similar
measures on antibiotic use in its global chicken operations but has not
set a timeframe.
Will Not Compromise Animal Well-Being; Need Alternatives to Human
Antibiotics on Farm
Tyson Foods plans to work with food industry, government, veterinary,
public health and academic communities, and provide funding, to
accelerate research into disease prevention and antibiotic alternatives
on the farm. The company is also getting input from its Animal
Well-Being Advisory Panel, which is made up of independent advisors.
“One of our core values is to serve as responsible stewards of animals
– we will not let sick animals suffer,” Smith said. “We believe it’s
our responsibility to help drive action towards sustainable solutions
to this challenge by working with our chicken, turkey, beef and pork
supply chains.”
Smith said today’s announcement will not materially affect the
company’s financial performance.
About Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), with headquarters in Springdale,
Arkansas, is one of the world’s largest producers of chicken, beef,
pork and prepared foods that include leading brands such as Tyson(R),
Jimmy Dean(R), Hillshire Farm(R), Sara Lee(R) frozen desserts, Ball
Park(R), Wright(R), Aidells(R) and State Fair(R). The company was
founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson, whose family has continued to lead
the business with his son, Don Tyson, guiding the company for many
years and grandson, John H. Tyson, serving as the current chairman of
the board of directors. Tyson Foods provides a wide variety of
protein-based and prepared foods products and is the recognized market
leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, supplying
customers throughout the United States and approximately 130 countries.
It has approximately 124,000 Team Members employed at more than 400
facilities and offices in the United States and around the world.
Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of
Rights, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity and trust and is
committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team
Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe
work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and
environment entrusted to it.
* Broilers are chickens raised for meat.
** When antibiotics are used in livestock and poultry, strict
withdrawal periods must be followed before the animals are processed
for food. In addition, the USDA regularly tests meat and poultry for
antibiotic residues.
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