Tyson Foods is shaking up what goes into some of America’s most familiar breakfast sausages and lunch meats. The company says it’s making a big shift in the recipe playbook when it comes to High Fructose Corn Syrup, and the pantry staples tucked inside won’t look quite the same a year from now.
What Is Tyson Foods Doing?
The meatpacker said Monday it will stop using high-fructose corn syrup in its brands, along with other additives such as the artificial sweetener sucralose, titanium dioxide, and the synthetic antioxidants BHA and BHT. Tyson Foods said the change is expected by the end of 2025 in the U.S. and will cover products including Jimmy Dean and Hillshire Farm.
Why Is the Company Making This Change?
Tyson’s move comes after the U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said this spring that the government plans to phase synthetic food dyes out of the U.S. supply, either by revoking authorizations or pushing companies to remove them voluntarily.
What Else Did Tyson Foods Change?
This is not the first move toward cleaner products Tyson Foods has made this year. In the spring, the company announced it was “proactively reformulating” food products containing petroleum-based synthetic dyes and plans to eliminate them from its production process.
“We continuously review and assess our product portfolio to ensure the highest quality products that meet the needs of consumers,” said Donnie King, CEO of Tyson Foods. “Our decision to remove High Fructose Corn Syrup and other ingredients reflects our ongoing commitment to feeding the world like family, while preserving the taste, value and integrity that define our iconic brands.”
What Are These Ingredients and Are They Harmful?
High-fructose corn syrup, sucralose, titanium dioxide, and preservatives like BHA and BHT are all additives the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved for use in food. However, health groups have criticized them for links to obesity, hyperactivity, and other concerns.
More Food Safety News From Cheapism
- Popular Foods That Will No Longer Have Artificial Colors — Many major food manufacturers are phasing out synthetic dyes in the coming years in an attempt to get ahead the FDA’s plan to phase them out by 2026. Here are some of the popular products that will be affected.
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