January 26, 2006

Tyson to introduce natural beef products
 

Tyson Foods, the world's largest meat producer, plans to offer two new lines of natural beef worldwide. Distribution is to start next month.

The products will be in addition to other Tyson beef. The company says the new lines will come from Angus cattle that have never received antibiotics or hormones and have been fed only grass and grain. The cattle will be traced from birth and fed in specially-designated feed yards.

The company has a 26 percent share of the US beef market.

Tyson says there is heightened demand for the new products. Some consumers are turning to organic and natural foods amid concerns over mad-cow disease and the use of antibiotics and hormones.

More than 60 countries banned US beef after a Washington state cow tested positive for mad-cow disease in 2003.

Tyson operates five processing facilities in the southern US state of Alabama.