Environmental group sues Tyson Foods over alleged false climate claims

An environmental group is suing Tyson Foods for allegedly misleading consumers by saying it will achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and marketing organic beef without meaningful plans to achieve those goals.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) of Washington in Washington Superior Court. Tyson did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Livestock production accounts for about 14.5 percent of all anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions globally, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Cattle represent 65% of these emissions.

Tyson is one of the largest meat processing companies in the United States. The company says it produces 20 percent of the country’s beef, pork and chicken, and that most of its emissions come from beef production.

In 2021, Tyson said it would achieve net zero emissions by 2050 by increasing its use of renewable energy and eliminating deforestation in its supply chain, among other steps.

The company also markets a “climate-friendly” beef brand that it says is produced with 10 percent less emissions than conventional beef.

In its lawsuit, EWG claims that Tyson has not presented a rigorous plan to achieve its net zero goals or details for its production of low-emission beef, and is therefore misleading consumers with its claims.

“These types of greenwashing claims are on the rise, and consumers have a right to know the truth about their food choices,” Earthjustice attorney Carrie Apfel said in a press call Wednesday.

Earthjustice is representing EWG in the lawsuit along with the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Edelson PC and FarmStand.

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