Tyson Foods’ Alt-Meat Nuggets Will Hit Grocery Stores This Summer

Notorious factory farm trades tortured chickens for pea protein.

Root Cause

On Thursday, Tyson Foods announced the launch of Raised & Rooted, a new line featuring the company's first plant-based protein products, meaning one of the world's largest — and most controversial — meat producers sees a promising future for alt-meat.

"Today’s consumers are seeking more protein options," Tyson Foods CEO Noel White said in a press release, "so we’re creating new products for the growing number of people open to flexible diets that include both meat and plant-based protein."

Blended Burgers

Tyson's first Raised & Rooted product to reach consumers will be nuggets made from a mix of plant ingredients, including pea protein. Those will hit store shelves this summer, with "blended burgers" made from both Angus beef and pea protein following in the fall.

Tyson's existing Aidells brand is also getting in on the alt-meat trend with a Whole Blends line featuring sausages and meatballs made from a mix of chicken and plant-based ingredients.

Growing Business

The creation of the Raised & Rooted line doesn't mean Tyson Foods plans to go vegetarian, however.

"For us, this is about 'and' – not 'or,'" White said. "We remain firmly committed to our growing traditional meat business and expect to be a market leader in alternative protein, which is experiencing double-digit growth and could someday be a billion-dollar business for our company."

READ MORE: After backing out of Beyond Meat, Tyson Foods announces a new plant-based brand of its own [The New Food Economy]

More on alt-meat: Fake Meat Startup Beyond Meat Says It’s Worth More Than $1 Billion