Tyson Foods introduces new protein snack brand

Tyson Foods announced Thursday (May 31) the first brand developed by its new Tyson Innovation Lab in Chicago.

The new Yappah protein crisp snack product is crafted from rescued and upcycled vegetable and grain-based ingredients that might otherwise be left behind, according to the company.

The new snacks are the result of a challenge given to the Tyson Innovation Lab in January to re-think the culinary possibilities for ingredients that are typically left unused during food production, often becoming food waste.

“With the protein crisps we are taking ‘forgotten’ ingredients and crafting them into a delicious protein snack,” said Rizal Hamdallah, head of the Tyson Innovation Lab. “For the Yappah brand, sustainability is not an add-on, it’s our DNA. Fighting food waste is just the beginning.”

Tyson Foods provides upcycled chicken breast trim that is still full of flavor and protein and combines it with either rescued vegetable puree from juicing or rescued Molson Coors spent grain from beer brewing to create the line’s four flavors. The products were launched on the Indiegogo crowd-funding platform in May, followed by a 90-day pilot at one Chicago-based supermarket in July.

“We want to connect directly with this enthusiastic community that cares about creating better food,” said Santiago Proaño, Brand Lead, Tyson Innovation Lab. “Their reaction to the product, and their engagement with us, will help us get ready for what we hope will be a much broader rollout.”

The brand name, according to Tyson Foods, was inspired by a tradition in the South American Andes called “yapa,” which refers to the little something extra a merchant gives to a valued customer so that nothing gets wasted.