Source: Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE, 6/13/19


After weeks of speculation, Tyson Foods Inc. this morning introduced its first plant-based meat alternative product, additional meat-and-plant blended products, and a new brand, Raised & Rooted, for its retail line, the company said in a news release.

The initial products under the new Raised & Rooted brand include plant-based nuggets, set to debut in late summer through national retailers, and blended burgers, set to roll out in the fall, which Tyson bills as healthier than competing plant-based-only patties.

In addition, Tyson’s existing Aidells brand has launched Aidells Whole Blends sausage and meatballs, made with chicken and plant-based ingredients, the release said.

“Today’s consumers are seeking more protein options so we’re creating new products for the growing number of people open to flexible diets that include both meat and plant-based protein,” said Noel White, president and CEO of Tyson Foods, in the release.

“For us, this is about 'and’ — not 'or.’ 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.”

White said in early May, at the time of the company’s second quarter earnings announcements, that Tyson was developing its own alternative protein products. In late April, the company had exited its investment in Beyond Meat, even as that company set the terms for what became an eye-opening initial public offering.

The Raised & Rooted nuggets are made from a blend of pea protein isolate and other plant ingredients and contain 5g of fiber and omega-3s, and less saturated fat than traditional nuggets, the release said. The blended burger is made with Angus beef and pea protein isolate, promising fewer calories and less saturated fat than the plant-based burgers sold by competing brands.

“The creation of the Raised & Rooted brand is an excellent example of Tyson’s ability to think big and move fast, capitalizing on our existing infrastructure,” said Justin Whitmore, executive vice president, alternative proteins and chief sustainability officer. “We 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.”

Aidells Whole Blends products include a portfolio of fully cooked sausage links and meatballs made with a blend of no-antibiotics-ever chicken and plant ingredients such as chickpeas, black beans, quinoa, lentils and barley.

Although Tyson Ventures, the company’s venture capital fund, sold its stake in Beyond Meat, Tyson remains invested in mushroom-based protein producer MycoTechnology and cell-based meat producers Memphis Meats and Future Meat Technologies.

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