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Tyson Foods has decided to stop selling beef raised without antibiotics, a year after antibiotics were reintroduced into the poultry supply chain.
The meatpacker said in a statement that it would continue to sell antibiotic-free beef “based on market demand.” Tyson added that its commitment to antibiotic stewardship remains unchanged.
“Tyson Foods is committed to preserving the health and well-being of animals in our supply chain. We make decisions based on sound science and an evolving understanding of best practices that impact our customers, consumers and the animals we care for,” the company said.
In a 2022 website post, Tyson noted that ranchers who supply beef for its products “may use small amounts of FDA-approved growth promoters to increase lean mass gains.”
Open Prairie, Tyson’s all-natural meat brand, previously sold antibiotic-free beef, but no longer lists it as a product on its website. Open Prairie continues to offer pork.
Over the past decade, the meat industry has been moving away from antibiotic-fed animals as consumers have become more vocal about the dangers of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Meat raised without antibiotics costs more to produce and carries a higher price tag at grocery stores.
In 2017, Tyson announced it would remove antibiotics from its poultry supply chain. But last summer, there were signs that the company was reversing course on that decision. Tyson removed the “Never Antibiotics” label from some chicken products and resumed using birds raised on the drugs.
Perdue Farms, one of Tyson's biggest competitors in the chicken market, told Agriculture Dive last week that it will continue to pursue an antibiotic-free supply chain.
Meat products claiming to be antibiotic-free have come under scrutiny from public health authorities for the accuracy of their labels. A 2022 study published in Science magazine found that 42% of feedlots certified as “antibiotic-free” had at least one animal that tested positive for antibiotics.
