June 4, 2008

Tyson to remove antibiotic ads
    

Tyson Foods announced that it would be removing advertisements and labels that said its poultry products do not contain antibiotics, after a federal court ordered the company to stop the advertising.

Tyson said it has informed the USDA that it would stop using the "raised without antibiotics" chicken label. The company has also asked the USDA, which approved its antibiotic slogan, to provide more clarity and consistency to labelling and advertising rules on antibiotic claims.

Tyson said it has begun to design and order new labelling and packaging for its poultry products.

The decision to remove the advertisements would not lead to any changes in how the company protects the health of its birds, according to a Tyson statement.

Tyson emphasised that it does not use antibiotics for the purpose of growth promotion, but uses it on rare occasions to treat poultry illness on a prescription basis.