Antibiotic Stewardship

Tyson Foods is dedicated to maintaining the health and welfare of the animals within our supply chain while also protecting food safety and public health.

This is a photo of baby chickens.

In fiscal year 2022, we published our Antibiotic Stewardship Position Statement, which describes our responsibility in managing antibiotic use within our supply chain and our approach to combating the development of antibiotic resistance. We rely on the guidelines for responsible use of antibiotics that are defined in BQA, PQA Plus and the American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP). These guidelines are, in turn, based on judicious antibiotic use principles outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO), World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Responsible use practices rely on preventive strategies such as:

  • Biosecurity
  • Animal welfare programs
  • Proven management practices
  • Vaccination programs
  • Sanitation programs
  • Routine health monitoring programs
  • Veterinary oversight to minimize the potential need for antibiotic therapy

We further work within our direct supply chain and with independent farmers and others in the Tyson Foods cattle, hog and turkey supply chains to promote these practices. For more information, see the Tyson Foods Position Statement on Antibiotic Stewardship.

Read Our Position on Antibiotic Stewardship

Antibiotics, Beta Agonists, Hormones & Steroids

To ensure regulatory compliance in the U.S., all of our meat and poultry harvest facilities have programs in place and participate in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) surveillance programs for drug residues.  

U.S. and international law prohibit the use of added hormones or steroids in chicken or turkey. In accordance with those laws, we don’t allow hormones or steroids to be administered within those supply chains. 

In North America, cattle farmers and ranchers may use small amounts of FDA-approved growth promotants in beef production to increase the rate of lean weight gain. 

Ractopamine is permitted for swine in the United States. Swine not receiving ractopamine are verified through a USDA Process Verified Program, which is used to support exporting products to countries that prohibit its use. 

Steroid hormone administration for growth purposes in market hogs is not permitted by the FDA.