Summary:
- Tyson Foods has committed to eliminating high fructose corn syrup and other targeted ingredients by the end of the year, in alignment with the “Make America Healthy Again” movement.
- The company will remove corn syrup, sucralose, BHA/BHT, and titanium dioxide from various brands including Tyson, Jimmy Dean, and Hillshire Farm.
- Following pressure from the Trump administration, Tyson previously removed artificial dyes from its U.S. products earlier this year.
Insight:
Tyson’s decision to remove these ingredients associated with ultraprocessed foods comes as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the FDA plan to reevaluate chemical additives.
The FDA is reviewing or expediting the assessment of ingredients like BHA/BHT and titanium dioxide, with a focus on chemicals of high public concern.
Kennedy has been vocal about the negative health impacts of high-fructose corn syrup, prompting companies like Coca-Cola to make changes in their products.
Many food manufacturers are responding to the call to remove artificial colors from their products, with Tyson positioning itself as a leader in this reformulation movement.
Donnie King, Tyson’s president and CEO, emphasized the company’s commitment to providing high-quality products that meet consumer needs.
The targeted ingredients are commonly used in food manufacturing for sweetness and shelf life but have been linked to adverse health effects, such as cancer or hormonal disruption in the case of BHA/BHT and neurotoxicity in the case of titanium dioxide.