Tyson Foods Inc. will now sell its own plant-based hamburgers and sausages, putting the company in direct competition with Beyond Meat, according to Reuters. Beyond Meat is also launching an updated faux burger.
The companies are hoping to take advantage of restaurants reopening and more Americans going out to eat as a result of lockdown restrictions easing nationwide.
Tyson Foods, which manufacturers Jimmy Dean sausage, is the biggest producer nationwide of animal meat. The company sold its initial plant-based products two years ago. It is now adding burger patties, bratwurst, Italian sausage and ground “meat” out of pea protein under Tyson’s Raised & Rooted Brand.
Tyson Foods plans to sell packages of two quarter-pound patties for $4.99. Four patties will sell for $9.99.
“There’s so much opportunity still left,” David Ervin, vice president of alternative protein at Tyson, said, according to Crain’s Chicago Business. “We’ve seen unbelievable growth in this market, but know that we’ve only scratched the surface.”
The company stopped selling an alternative burger last year it had created that was a mix of plants and beef. Critics say companies like Tyson Foods are “clueless” when it comes to offering plant-based alternatives.
Companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods are responding to the fact many people are interested in diets that help the environment. Many of their products are now also sold at Target and Burger King. A couple of months ago, Beyond Meat announced a three-year deal with McDonald’s for its McPlant burger.




