US Lawmakers prod FTC on complaints filed against Tyson’s misleading advertising
Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), along with Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA), sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) asking for an update on the agency’s investigation into recent complaints filed against Tyson Foods for knowingly making false and misleading advertising claims.
One complaint was filed in July 2020, by Animal Equality, Organic Consumers Association, and Food & Water Watch, which accused Tyson Foods of misleading consumers by falsely claiming that Tyson chicken products are produced in a humane, natural, and environmentally responsible way. The complaint focused on products marketed under Tyson’s own brand name, as well as its NatureRaised Foods brand. The groups asked the FTC to investigate and take action to enjoin Tyson from continuing to deceptively represent its production practices with respect to these products. The second complaint, brought by Food & Water Watch and Venceremos (a workers’ rights group) was in regards to Tyson’s misleading claims about its labor practices.
In the letter sent to the FTC by Sen. Booker’s office, the lawmakers asked two distinct questions:
- What is the status of the FTC’s investigation of Tyson Foods’ alleged false marketing
- What penalties under the FTC Act are applied to cases of willful false advertising, and how will this inform the potential actions that FTC takes in response to its findings?
The letter also stated, “Marketing and advertising tactics that knowingly mislead or misinform the public are unacceptable and illegal. The alleged misinformation employed by Tyson to sell its products may provide the company with an unfair advantage over its competitors, many of which are truly independent and family owned and do treat their animals more humanely. It is also unfair to consumers, who increasingly opt for products that are sustainable, that are humanely raised, and that abide by high labor standards, and who are often willing to pay a premium for these products. Tyson’s alleged willful misrepresentation of its practices, if proved, would not only be poor behavior; it would also be in direct violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act). While such practices are harmful in ordinary circumstances, the COVID-19 pandemic has shined a light on our broken food system and created urgency in addressing potential abuses.”
“We are grateful to Senator Booker, Senator Warren, and Congressman Khanna for recognizing the importance of this issue and urging FTC to do its job. The damage caused by Tyson’s deception cannot be overstated: It is making it impossible for consumers to make informed purchasing decisions on the basis of companies’ animal welfare standards,” says Sarah Hanneken, Legal Advocacy Counsel for Animal Equality.
Companies like Tyson thrive on deceiving consumers into purchasing products that are “humanely raised” or from “family farms” when in fact they are from cruel industrial animal agriculture operations. As our investigations have routinely shown, there is nothing humane or quaint about factory farming. 99% of animal products today are produced using industrial animal farming—a cruel and abusive system that exploits farmed animals and disregards their suffering.
Holding Tyson and other producers accountable for this false advertising is paramount to ensuring a fair and ethical food supply, and we are buoyed by the support of Senators Booker and Warren and Rep. Khanna. We will continue to shine a light on the truth behind these deceptions—to do that, we need your help. If you see dubious advertising claims about animal welfare, please let us know using the link below. And please, help spare more animals from suffering and leave them off your plate.
