Tyson Foods Inc

The company has an SBTi-approved target to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 30% by 2030, based on a 2016 baseline. It also aims to decrease Scope 3 emissions from poultry, pork, and beef production by 30% per ton of finished product by 2030, encompassing 80% of its Scope 3 inventory. The company converts methane from its wastewater facilities into renewable natural gas but has not disclosed any specific target for methane emission reduction or a plan to establish such a target.

The company's SBTi-validated Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions targets align with the 2°C target of the Paris Agreement. It aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and plans to establish a science-based target within two years.

The company aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its supply chain. In 2022, it announced a $152 million initiative to promote climate-smart agricultural practices, funded as part of the USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant program. This initiative focuses on improving farmer livelihoods, increasing carbon sequestration, and reducing emissions by encouraging best practices in soil health, water quality, nutrient management, and wildlife habitat preservation. The company collaborates with strategic partners and independent farmers through initiatives such as the Local Grain Service (LGS) Sustain program, which advocates reduced tilling and cover cropping. Additionally, its BeefCARE™ and Climate-Smart Beef programs involve sourcing cattle from ranchers adhering to sustainable practices, with a target to reduce carbon intensity by 30% by 2030.

By 2030, the company aims to promote climate-smart practices on two million acres of row crop land and source 100% of its feed from growers employing these practices. It has established the Local Grain Services (LGS) programme to directly source corn from local farmers and strengthen community relationships. The LGS Sustain initiative assists farmers in adopting practices such as reduced tilling and cover cropping, guided by supplier insights to support emission reduction. The company has begun enrolling independent farmers in the LGS Sustain programme.

The company aims to verify sustainable beef production practices across more than 5 million acres of grazing lands by 2025. It is sourcing cattle through its BeefCARE™ programme, verified by an independent auditor to ensure best practices are followed. Additionally, the company is advancing its Climate-Smart Beef programme with a goal of reducing carbon intensity by 30% by 2030. To meet this target, it collaborates with supply partners, academics, and environmental advisors, including The Nature Conservancy and the Environmental Defence Fund, offering expertise on grazing emissions and feed inputs respectively. In FY2022, the company developed a dynamic accounting framework that allows per-head carbon intensity assessments for cattle in the programme, examining farming processes, feed, and grazing practices. Deloitte has been engaged to refine this data model, and SCS Global Services verifies its alignment with relevant ISO standards.

In its 2023 CDP Climate response, the company discloses Scope 1 emissions of 3,561,979 tCO2e and Scope 2 (location-based) emissions of 2,201,109 tCO2e for FY2022. Although Scope 3 emissions for FY2022 have not been reported, the company has completed a full Scope 3 emissions inventory based on FY19 data, with an update for FY2022 forthcoming. This update will support its resubmission to the SBTi.

In its 2023 CDP Climate response, the company discloses emissions of 821,239 tCO2e from cattle products. It reports zero emissions from land use management, but does not disclose GHG emissions from feed production.

The company responded to the CDP Climate questionnaire in 2023, but its emissions data has not been verified by an independent third party.

The company reports a 0.34% decrease in GHG emissions (Scope 1 and 2) from 5,782,573 tCO2e in FY2021 to 5,763,088 tCO2e in FY2022. However, its GHG inventory is incomplete as Scope 3 emissions have not been reported. For FY2022 emissions related to cattle products, the company states that production increased by 149,267,285 lbs. During this period, Scope 1 emissions decreased by 54,405 metric tonnes, while Scope 2 emissions increased by 33,623 metric tonnes. Emissions reductions from feed or methane have not been explicitly disclosed. In its 2023 CDP Climate response, it disclosed FY2022 Scope 1 emissions at 3,561,979 tCO2e and Scope 2 (location-based) emissions at 2,201,109 tCO2e. Scope 3 emissions for FY2022 remain undisclosed.

The company has discussed scenario analysis in its response to the CDP Climate Change Questionnaire 2023. In 2022, it assessed its disclosures against the TCFD framework and peer reporting. Although the company does not yet use future climate scenario analysis to inform its strategy, it is outlining conditions and factors for a forthcoming assessment.

The company recognises that extreme weather and precipitation changes could affect feed grain availability and impact earnings but does not detail its risk mitigation strategy. It identifies heat stress as a climate risk for livestock and feed crops and collaborates with partners on climate-smart livestock farming practices, including its BeefCARE™ and Climate-Smart Beef programmes. Additionally, the company promotes reduced tilling and cover cropping through its Local Grain Service and LGS Sustain initiatives. Rising energy costs are identified as a general operational risk. The company is evaluating energy efficiency measures and renewable energy participation to reduce operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions. It is a member of the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings, Better Plants Programme, which aids manufacturers in achieving energy savings goals. The company does not address increased veterinary costs, the potential impact of a carbon tax on electricity or animal protein, or the number of financially material events related to climate risk in the reporting period.

The company does not disclose its commitment to align capital expenditures with its GHG targets.

In its CDP Forests 2023 report, the company states that 1-5% of its procurement spend is on soy. A 2019 risk assessment conducted by Proforest highlighted that 2.72% of the company's soy is traced to Brazil, identified as a high-risk country for deforestation, meaning not all soy is sourced from deforestation-free areas. The company can trace 95.88% of its soy sourcing to regions not designated as forest-risk areas by the CDP, with 1.4% remaining unclassified.

The company is committed to sourcing deforestation-free soy throughout its global supply chain by 2030, with a cut-off date of 2020. It aims for 100% responsibly-sourced direct soy by 2025, and 100% embedded soy by 2030.

The company commits to all sourcing regions at risk of deforestation and applies this to 100% of its directly and indirectly sourced soy.

The company reports that 0% of its soy is certified by the Roundtable for Responsible Soy (RTRS) as of the reporting year, with only 0.01% of its soybean meal achieving RTRS certification. It has also responded to the CDP Forests Questionnaire 2023.

The company acknowledges the importance of protecting forests and biodiversity and reducing its deforestation impact. In 2019, it engaged with Proforest, an independent sustainability organisation, to assess deforestation risks in its global agricultural supply chain, including cattle. The assessment revealed that over 95% of its cattle and beef sourcing poses a low risk of deforestation, largely due to sourcing from the US. The remainder includes 0.11% from Brazil, 4.19% from Australia, 0.01% from Nicaragua, 0.01% from Mexico, and 0.36% from unspecified sources.

The company has committed to achieving zero gross deforestation between 2026 and 2030. It has set a cut-off year of 2020 for sourcing certified deforestation-free cattle and beef. The target year for transitioning to deforestation-free sourcing is 2025 in Australasia and 2028 in Latin America.

The company is universally committed to sourcing deforestation-free beef across its operations, as well as from direct and indirect suppliers.

The company reports that 45% of its beef production or consumption volume is certified under the Progressive Beef program, and all its tanned hides are certified by the Leather Working Group's Audit Protocol. However, it is unclear if either certification addresses deforestation. The company also responded to the CDP Forests Questionnaire 2023. The company does not disclose the proportion of its cattle supply compliant with its commitment by volume.

The company expects its suppliers to prevent deforestation by ensuring no supply from deforested areas, operating within credible forest protection frameworks, and providing traceability to the origin of farms or plantations using certification, geospatial tools, or other supply chain mapping methods such as blockchain. While the company finalised commodity action plans for soy in FY2021, these plans are stated to include goals and timeframes for responsible sourcing decision-making. However, the company does not provide sufficient detail on how supplier engagement reduces deforestation risk. Improved disclosure of the company's commodity action plans is recommended.

The company plans to regularly monitor progress, including an annual evaluation by senior management. This will involve overseeing and rectifying supplier compliance with its standards. However, it has not disclosed specific techniques for monitoring supplier adherence to its deforestation objectives. While the company acquires RTRS-certified soy credits for chicken feed, this certification does not cover soybean meal for all animal feed types and may originate from high-risk areas. Suppliers are expected to make necessary changes to meet requirements by specified sourcing dates; those who fail will undergo evaluation and be encouraged to align with the company's objectives and deforestation targets. A transition period will also be established for future acquisitions to ensure compliance within a set timeframe. The company reports that all soy volumes are traceable to the crushing facility. However, it lacks visibility into the specific domestic regions where soybeans are cultivated. While crushing facilities generally source locally, they might also acquire soybeans from other regions or choose not to disclose such information.

The company is committed to sustainability in its supply chain by collaborating with independent ranchers and farmers. It emphasises climate-smart crop practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil health, and enhance water quality. With partners such as Farmers Business Network and Environmental Defense Fund, it has conducted pilot projects on approximately 370,000 acres. The company also targets the verification of sustainable beef practices on over 5 million acres by 2025 and aims to reduce carbon intensity by 30% by 2030 through its Climate-Smart Beef programme.

The company requires its cattle suppliers to comply with specific deforestation prevention criteria, which include prohibiting supply from deforested areas, operating within reputable forest conservation frameworks, and ensuring traceability to the farm or plantation of origin via certification, geospatial mapping, or blockchain technology. The company is also working to verify sustainable beef production practices on grazing lands beyond an initial 5-million-acre target. It sources cattle from ranchers verified by BeefCARE, an independent third-party auditor that ensures best practices in animal and environmental care. However, it is unclear if this programme addresses deforestation.

The company will conduct regular progress monitoring, including an annual evaluation by senior management. This will involve a system to oversee and rectify suppliers' conformity with its standards. However, it has not disclosed the techniques it will use to monitor supplier adherence to its deforestation objectives. Suppliers are expected to implement necessary modifications by specified sourcing dates. Those failing to do so will undergo evaluation and be encouraged to initiate programmes aligned with the company's deforestation objectives and benchmarks. A transition period will be established for future business acquisitions to ensure compliance within a predetermined timeframe. The company does not address indirect farmers. The company reports 100% traceability of cattle products to the slaughterhouse. Its tracking system can monitor each purchased group of live cattle, up to 1000 head, tracking them until harvest, with origin data reported to market news services. Some premium beef programmes offer full traceability back to the cattle's origin of birth. The company has not been publicly linked to deforestation during the reporting year.

The company collaborates with selected cattle suppliers to improve land stewardship, concentrating on soil health, water quality and conservation, nutrient management, and wildlife habitat through its Climate-Smart Beef initiative. However, the outcomes of this initiative have not been disclosed.

In 2022, the company conducted a risk assessment using the WRI's Aqueduct tool to develop a water stewardship strategy, identifying eleven US facilities in water-stressed regions. It disclosed these facility names in its CDP Water Security response. In its 2023 CDP Water Security report, the company stated water consumption of 46,670 megalitres and outlined water-saving measures, particularly in high-risk areas. It aims to reduce water usage per product and improve water governance and quality through Contextual Water Plans, collaborating with the WRI to achieve its stewardship goals.

The company does not disclose a time-bound water reduction target to reduce total water withdrawals at facilities in the reporting year.

The company reports a total water withdrawal of 123,281 megalitres in FY2023, with 12,227 megalitres from groundwater and 111,053 megalitres from third-party sources. This marks a decrease from 145,687 megalitres in the previous year. However, total water consumption increased significantly from 14,569 megalitres to 46,670 megalitres during the same period. It has 11 facilities in water-stressed areas and provides withdrawal volumes for each. Water-related capital expenditure (CAPEX) decreased by 10% in the reporting year due to regulatory requirements, food safety concerns, and COVID-19 impacts. Conversely, water-related operating expenses (OPEX) increased by 1% and are expected to rise by an additional 1% in the future, as detailed in the CDP Water Security 2023 disclosure. The company responded to the CDP Water Security questionnaire in 2023 but does not specify if its water-related data is subject to third-party auditing.

The company indicates in its 2021 Water Position Statement a plan to set water stewardship targets within its supply chain, focusing on managing water consumption and quality in water-stressed areas for crops used in animal feed. These are not explicit water reduction goals, and no timeline has been established for setting these targets. The company does not require feed suppliers or farmers to set water use reduction targets. While the company aims to enhance sustainable land stewardship by encouraging and rewarding farmers to improve water management, it lacks examples of engagement with feed suppliers on this subject. Its Local Grain Services (LGS) Sustain programme promotes sustainable agricultural practices, though it does not explicitly provide guidance on water use in feed. The company collaborated with the WRI to assess water risks and develop a water stewardship plan for processing sites and suppliers. This assessment focused on water scarcity and nutrient depletion risks for corn but excluded other agricultural inputs like soybeans, albeit indirectly considering soy due to regional overlaps. The company has identified high-risk facilities and is establishing water stewardship goals for its supply chain. An update on feed farming operations in future reporting is encouraged.

The company does not disclose feed water intensity or the proportion of feed sourced from water-stressed areas. Furthermore, the company does not provide evidence that it is investing in sustainable feed production from a water-use perspective.

The company discloses that 1-10% of its poultry is produced in water-stressed areas, but does not specify the percentage of cattle sourced from such regions and provides no information on pork. While the company recognises its water risk from raising animals and has implemented water management plans for high-risk processing facilities, its supply chain water stewardship targets, outlined in the 2021 Water Position Statement, focus only on row crops. The company does not address water management in animal farming or provide comprehensive guidance, support, or incentives to suppliers or growers on this issue.

The company has collaborated with the World Resources Institute to evaluate water risks and develop a water stewardship plan for its processing sites and suppliers. The assessment focused on water stress and nutrient depletion in areas sourcing livestock for processing, considering water usage in animal rearing, consumption, and operational practices. The company has identified high-risk facilities and is setting water stewardship goals for its supply chain. Future updates on this work, particularly regarding animal farming operations, are recommended.

The company reports incidents of non-compliance with water quality regulations, resulting in four fines totalling $68,943.50, involving 3% of its facilities. These fines represent a decrease compared to the previous year. The company has conducted water risk assessments using the WRI Aqueduct tool, identifying eleven processing facilities in high and medium water stress areas. It is developing Contextual Water Plans for these sites and has completed seven, covering locations such as Finney County, KS; Seguin, TX; and Temperanceville, VA. These plans focus on water quantity and quality targets to mitigate nutrient risks. The company does not set specific quality targets for wastewater, lacking detailed metrics for pollutants like COD, BOD, TN, and TP at a company-wide level. Additionally, it does not disclose a specific volume target for wastewater discharge across the organisation.

The company discloses wastewater discharge quality but omits detailed effluent metrics such as BOD, COD, Total Nitrogen, or Total Phosphorus, in line with World Bank standards. It reported a total wastewater discharge volume of 110,952 megalitres per year, reflecting a slight reduction due to enhanced wastewater treatment efficiency and reduced rainfall impact. The company does not disclose whether its wastewater data is audited by a third party. It responded to the CDP Water Security questionnaire in 2023, earning a score of C.

The company converts non-human-edible protein waste from its animal processing operations into animal feed, biofuels, and fertiliser, supporting sustainability efforts. It has not reported a quantitative improvement in aggregate wastewater quality compared to the previous reporting period. However, total wastewater discharge decreased from 131,119 megalitres in 2022 to 110,952 megalitres in 2023, attributed to enhanced wastewater treatment efficiency and reduced volumes from first flush systems due to lower rainfall.

The company encourages its suppliers to manage environmental impacts responsibly and adopt sustainable practices. However, it does not specify nutrient management plans for feed farming or detailed expectations for nutrient pollution control in its code of conduct. The absence of requirements to purchase feed exclusively from suppliers with nutrient management plans indicates a lack of a comprehensive framework in this area. The company supports farmers through the Local Grain Service (LGS) Sustain program by offering educational and technical assistance on best practices, like nutrient management and reduced tillage. This program incentivises climate-smart practices, including efficient fertiliser use, by providing funding and support. Additionally, the company collaborates with strategic partners, such as the Farmers Business Network and the Environmental Defense Fund, to implement climate-smart practices on farmland. These initiatives aim to reduce nutrient pollution and improve fertiliser management across 2 million acres of row crops by 2025. In 2021, it executed pilot projects on 370,000 acres, leveraging partner expertise to enhance land stewardship and sustainability within its supply chain.

The company does not invest in sustainable feed production to improve nutrient management or disclose information about pesticide use in its feed supply chain.

The company has installed anaerobic lagoons at eight production facilities to capture biogas from wastewater treatment but does not disclose treatment of manure for biogas at farm level. It conducts risk assessments to identify high-risk locations, focusing on water stress and nutrient loss risks. In collaboration with the World Resources Institute, the company has developed a water stewardship strategy, assessing water risks across its processing facilities, animal sourcing areas, and corn feed supply chain.

The company does not make site-specific nutrient management plans part of its supplier’s contractual agreement or its own farms management. Nor does it provide technical or financial support to suppliers or its own farms to develop nutrient management plans and improve manure storage.

The company does not integrate nutrient management performance into incentive schemes for farmers. It does not discuss innovations in manure or provide evidence of a community engagement plan in relation to pollution.

The company's antibiotics policy recognises antibiotics as essential for both human and animal health, emphasising the ethical obligation to treat animals and control disease as needed. The policy aims to reduce antibiotic use in supply chains by adhering to WHO and OIE guidelines and promotes alternatives through science-based goals. However, it lacks individual antibiotics usage policies for beef, pork, or poultry. The company prohibits the routine use of antibiotics and their use for growth promotion, with its policy applicable across all protein types. Antibiotics are used only when necessary for therapeutic purposes and under veterinary supervision, in line with WHO and OIE guidelines, though specific types of antibiotics are not disclosed. To reduce the need for antibiotics, the company implements preventive strategies such as biosecurity, animal welfare programmes, vaccination, sanitation, routine health monitoring, and veterinary oversight. Additionally, it focuses on environmental and production system management to enhance animal health and welfare, thereby reducing disease incidence and the necessity for antibiotics.

The company does not disclose the quantity of antibiotics used.

The company provides a comprehensive animal welfare statement aligned with the Five Freedoms, emphasising humane treatment and accountability across its operations and supply chain. It maintains a global animal welfare training programme, ensuring personnel interacting with animals are properly trained, with mandatory annual retraining. The company outlines consequences for breaches of its animal welfare policies. Employees are held accountable for addressing animal mistreatment, and failure to report or stop such actions can lead to disciplinary measures, including contract termination. The company also reserves the right to terminate relationships with non-compliant suppliers and may refer violations to authorities for potential prosecution. Demonstrating leadership in animal welfare, the company engages in research and innovation, focusing on improving metrics such as cattle mobility and broiler paw scores. It collaborates with institutions like the University of Oxford and Colorado State University and operates a Broiler Welfare Research Farm to test environmental enrichments, lighting, and stocking density. However, these measures are not yet implemented across all operations.

The company demonstrates partial commitment towards more humane livestock conditions. Pigs are housed in open pen systems, with plans to provide open environments for sows by eliminating gestation crates. Cattle are housed in open pens facilitating natural movement, and most poultry are cage-free in structures that promote freedom of movement. However, the extent of this commitment across all operations is unclear. The company lacks a clear commitment to avoiding routine mutilations. It does not commit to avoiding long-distance transportation or reducing transport times to eight hours or less. Although it addresses transportation welfare with humane handling and certified training, it does not specify efforts to reduce transport duration. For slaughter practices, the company commits to humane methods, using controlled atmosphere stunning (CAS) systems in turkey, beef, and pork supply chains, ensuring animals are insensible to pain before processing. These practices comply with U.S. federal laws, and there are plans to expand CAS systems to more poultry plants. The company does not commit to providing environmental enrichments, focusing instead on basic welfare needs like adequate feed, water, ventilation, and weather protection. There is no mention of enrichments such as perches or grooming stations that promote natural behaviours. Additionally, the company does not commit to excluding breeds with traits that cause anatomical or metabolic disorders.

The company conducts internal and third-party audits on its U.S. chicken, beef, pork, and turkey plants as well as chicken hatcheries. These audits involve personnel such as animal welfare specialists. Programmes like FarmCheck set animal welfare criteria, and for pork operations, the company uses the PAACO-certified Common Swine Industry Audit platform.

The company does not disclose information on animal welfare certifications or assurance programs for its beef operations.

The company addresses certain welfare risks in its beef operations by ensuring cattle are humanely stunned before slaughter, following federal laws and North American Meat Institute (NAMI) guidelines. However, it does not fully commit to limiting transport times to 8 hours, prohibiting dehorning, or providing outdoor access during the growing season. In terms of hog welfare, the company employs open pen housing for market hogs, but does not prohibit gestation crates for sows or surgical castration. It permits tail docking and lacks clear commitments to providing enrichment materials or bedding to support natural behaviours. The company does not adequately address key poultry welfare issues. It does not commit to a 30kg/m² stocking density, and while it is expanding Controlled Atmosphere Stunning (CAS), water bath stunning is still in use. There is no mention of adopting higher welfare breeds or providing enriched environments such as perches or pecking substrates. For laying hens, the company does not explicitly address major welfare risks.

The company has a policy to adhere to human rights principles as outlined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labour Organization's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

The company conducts ongoing research, supply chain assessments, and applies third-party audits like SMETA and SWA to evaluate risks of modern slavery and human rights violations in its production facilities. While these audits cover labour practices, health and safety, environment, and business integrity, a more comprehensive human rights due diligence process is recommended. This should include a review of country dynamics, supply chain mapping, identification of direct and indirect causes, and risk ranking by severity and likelihood. The company engages in stakeholder dialogue and assesses human rights risks through its ongoing research and audits. However, it does not disclose how it identifies next steps when risks are identified. Additionally, the company supports employee rights through consistent communication and annual compliance training, covering the Code of Conduct, anti-bribery, and prevention of workplace harassment. Nonetheless, it has not detailed measures for risk mitigation or remediation within its supply chain.

The company does not disclose whether it has identified any human rights risks in its operations through human rights due diligence.

The company prohibits child labour, forced labour, harassment, and discrimination, but does not specifically commit to providing living wages or sick pay. It uses the SEDEX Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) for its production facilities both in the US and internationally, covering all the relevant policy areas. The company's supplier code of conduct expects suppliers to prohibit child labour, forced labour, harassment, and discrimination.

The company conducts social compliance audits for select suppliers based on the SMETA criteria; however, it is unclear how closely these audits adhere to the standard. An ethics helpline and the online platform 'Tell Tyson First' are available for employees to report potential breaches of the Code of Conduct or legal regulations anonymously. However, there is no evidence of employee engagement in the development or evaluation of these reporting mechanisms. The supplier code of conduct requires suppliers to promptly report any breaches or unethical behaviour by a team member to a manager or via the ethics email. Suppliers are assured of protection against retaliation. Independent, 24-hour phone and web lines are provided for suppliers to anonymously report concerns. In FY2022, the company received 13,953 allegations through its ethics line and categorised grievances into areas such as health and safety, discrimination and harassment, corruption, and employee practices.

The company describes a commitment to preventing work-related injuries but does not disclose any health and safety certifications. While it mentions the presence of safety and ergonomic committees at some sites, including participation from hourly production team members, it does not specify the percentage of facilities with these committees. Additionally, it has not disclosed information regarding the assessment of antimicrobial resistance risk for the workforce.

The company reports a 1% decrease in its recordable incident rate for FY2023 compared to FY2022, yet does not disclose specific injury data for the reporting year. For FY2022, the total recordable incident rate for its US operations, which constitute 87% of its activities, was 2.59, with a lost time incident rate of 0.71. The company discloses a significant increase in fatalities, with six employee fatalities and one contractor fatality in its US operations for FY2022, compared to two employee fatalities and no contractor fatalities in FY2021. Additionally, the company reported a total turnover rate of 46% and a voluntary turnover rate of 32% for its US operations in FY2022, but has not yet published turnover data for FY2023.

The company states its support for employees' rights to freedom of association, with 39,000 out of 139,000 employees globally represented by a trade union or part of a collective bargaining agreement. However, it does not describe specific measures to support these rights. The company expects its suppliers to uphold these rights as well.

The company reports that approximately 39,000 team members, or 28% of its global workforce, are covered by collective bargaining agreements or are in labour unions. It also discloses the proportion of its workforce that is full-time, part-time, and hourly paid, but does not provide details on sub-contracted employees.

The company reports that all its processing plants have food safety certifications, such as SQF and HACCP, and have implemented Food Safety and Quality Systems in line with GFSI requirements. All plants are certified under the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety. Additionally, 100% of its owned producing and processing facilities have GFSI certification. The company requires suppliers to maintain high food safety standards and comply with government laws and Tyson's food safety specifications. It reports that 98.2% of supplier facilities also hold GFSI certification.

The company regularly conducts audits through its corporate and plant food safety teams, along with third-party audit firms, and provides a detailed list of its audited beef, pork, and poultry plants. Two letters on its website from 2023 confirm annual independent third-party audits for Tyson Fresh Meats facilities, though these are specific to beef and pork operations. Further clarification is recommended for broader disclosure. While the company attains GFSI certification following audits and implements 100% of corrective actions identified by independent auditors, it does not disclose the rate of these corrective actions for the reporting period. The company does not disclose details regarding the implementation or development of consumer-facing technology for food safety traceability. While it supports companies with new food safety technology, it is unclear if this is consumer-oriented.

The company acknowledges the significant risk posed by product recalls to its reputation and financial outcomes. However, it has not confirmed the existence of a product recall system or disclosed any related protocols. In FY2023, the company voluntarily recalled 30,000 pounds of frozen "Fun Nuggets" due to small metal pieces reported in the product. This recall affected 29-ounce packages produced on 5 September 2023, with product codes 2483BRV02 07 to 2483BRV02 10 and establishment code P7211. No other products were impacted. The company does not provide information on preventative or corrective actions for recalls.

The company does not disclose the number and locations of market bans in the reporting year. However, no market bans were detected in media screenings.

The company's Governance and Nominating Committee oversees corporate responsibility and sustainability matters, including ESG issues, and conducts semi-annual reviews of related procedures and policies. The committee comprises five directors. The company performs a materiality assessment, identifying food safety, animal welfare, antibiotic use, ethics, and occupational health and safety as significant concerns, disclosed through a sustainability materiality matrix. However, it does not specify board-level oversight or involvement in the process, nor does it disclose expertise in sustainability or food safety at the board level. Doug Kulka, part of the enterprise leadership team, is noted for his expertise in technological innovations and business solutions.

The company has not implemented climate-related incentives, but executive compensation is linked to diversity, health and safety, and talent development goals, which can adjust performance incentive payments by up to 5%. It engages with organisations such as the International Consortium on Antimicrobial Stewardship in Agriculture, the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, and the US Roundtable for Sustainable Beef on responsible antibiotic usage and animal welfare. The company discloses its memberships with trade associations, alliances, and coalitions. However, it does not commit to aligning its policy-engagement activities with the aim of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C.

Tyson Ventures, a subsidiary of the company, invests in startups focused on innovations in emerging proteins, traceability, safety, automation, and solutions for a more responsible food system. This includes areas such as animal welfare, waste management, packaging, and land stewardship. The company identified 20 potentially material ESG issues through inputs from industry peers, ESG ratings and standards organisations, media analysis, and its enterprise risk management process.

The company aims to integrate alternative proteins across consumer demographics, regions, and brands, but external communications are consumer-focused and lack strategic context. It does not track or report revenue from alternative protein sources, nor has it set a timebound target to diversify these sources.

The company continues to offer a variety of plant-based alternatives through its "Jimmy Dean" and "Raised and Rooted" brands. "Raised and Rooted," launched in 2019, features pea protein-based products such as nuggets, fillets, tenders, sausages, burgers, and mince. In 2023, it expanded its plant-based product range with nuggets under the Tyson brand. The company reveals that its nutrition and R&D teams regularly assess new products and reformulate traditional and plant-based proteins. Recently, "Raised and Rooted" introduced two plant-based fillet products, and the company launched plant-based nuggets under its brand. Tyson Ventures, with a US$150 million R&D fund, invests in emerging food industry businesses, including cultivated meat start-ups and a plant-based protein start-up. However, no update on this year's investment in alternative proteins has been provided. Notably, Memphis Meats and Wave Foods have been removed from Tyson Ventures’ website since the last reporting period. In FY2023, the company partnered with Protix, focusing on insect-based protein, indicating a commitment to innovative, sustainable solutions and expanding its portfolio to meet changing consumer demands.