Tyson exploring 'cultured meat'

Tyson Foods Inc., parent company of Tyson Mexican Original, is continuing to make exploratory moves into the world of what is known as “cultured meat,” a product created from animal cells.



Tyson Ventures, the company’s venture capital arm, has invested in food tech startup Memphis Meats, saying it’s an example of Tyson’s “commitment to explore innovative, new ways of meeting growing global demand for protein.”



While the terms were not disclosed, the Tyson investment represents a minority stake in the business. By making the move, Tyson joins a diverse group of investors in Memphis Meats. Others involved include Cargill, Bill Gates and Richard Branson. Memphis Meats expects to use the funds to accelerate product development. It is currently recruiting to expand its team of chefs, scientists, creative people and business people.



“We’re excited about this opportunity to broaden our exposure to innovative, new ways of producing meat, especially since global protein demand has been increasing at a steady rate,” Justin Whitmore, executive vice president corporate strategy and chief sustainability officer of Tyson Foods, said in a prepared statement. “We continue to invest significantly in our traditional meat business, but also believe in exploring additional opportunities for growth that give consumers more choices.”



Tyson’s involvement follows a trend toward meat alternatives. In August, Cargill — a global company with an annual revenue of $109 billion — made its move in Memphis Meats. In January, the third-largest poultry producer in Europe, PHW Group, announced it was partnering with SuperMeat, an Israeli “clean-meat” company.



“When we’re talking to meat companies that are producing meat via livestock, I think there is an understanding that there are challenges to the way we produce meat today,” David Kay, a senior executive at Memphis Meats, said in a prepared statement. “There needs to be a more efficient way of producing meat.”



“Clean-meat” advocates argue that production will use less water and land than large-scale farms, and that animal feed will become unnecessary. Slaughter would also become obsolete, and because lab-grown meat would be made in controlled environments, there would be no exposure to pathogens.



“We are excited that Tyson Foods will be joining us in our mission to bring meat to the table in a sustainable, affordable and delicious way,” Uma Valeti, M.D., co-founder and CEO of Memphis Meats, said in a press release. “Our vision is for the world to eat what it loves, in a way that addresses today’s challenges for the environment, animal welfare and public health. We are accelerating our work and building out a world-class team to make this a reality.”