Tyson Foods sued over ‘climate-smart’ product claims

Environmental Working Group (EWG) has sued Tyson Foods over the company’s “climate-smart” claims. The civil suit was filed Sept. 18 in the District of Columbia Superior Court and backed by animal rights and environmental groups such as the Animal Legal Defense Fund, FarmSTAND and Earthjustice.

The suit claims Springdale-based Tyson is making false claims under the Consumer Protection Procedures Act in the District of Columbia because consumers are looking for these “greener products”.

“Tyson knowingly capitalizes on these well-intentioned preferences in advertising in numerous outlets a pledge to achieve ‘net-zero’ climate emissions by 2050 and marketing ‘climate-smart’ beef,” the lawsuit noted.

The lawsuit claims Tyson produces tremendous volumes of climate-warming emissions at every stage of its industrial meat production business. Despite Tyson’s claims of lowering its carbon footprint, EWG said Tyson “has no plans to achieve these goals and is taking no meaningful steps to do so.” EWG asks that Tyson curtail its climate claims or release a substantial plan that can prove their truth.

Tyson Foods defended the company’s environmental practices.

“Tyson Foods has a long history of sustainable practices that embrace good stewardship of our environmental resources. We will continue to support agricultural practices that further these efforts and work to strengthen the overall resiliency of the U.S. agriculture system,” the company noted in a statement.

Tyson Foods is the second major meat company to be sued in the U.S. this year for so-called greenwashing claims. New York Attorney General Letitia James filed suit against the U.S. arm of JBS in February. James claimed JBS’s pledge to reach net-zero emissions by 2040 was not backed by a feasible plan.