WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Acting Associate Director for the Division of Advertising Practices Serena Viswanathan and the FTC’s four commissioners asking for an update on the department’s investigation into recent allegations against Tyson Foods for knowingly making false and misleading descriptions of their operations and what actions could be taken at the conclusion of the investigation.

 

The investigation into Tyson Foods stem from complaints that allege that for the purposes of willfully misleading consumers, Tyson Foods made untrue claims about safe labor conditions and close relationships with independent family farms, and advertised their meats as being produced in a natural, environmentally sustainable way. 

 

“Marketing and advertising tactics that knowingly mislead or misinform the public are unacceptable and illegal,” the lawmakers wrote to the Federal Trade Commission. “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.”

 

The lawmakers continued, “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.” 

 

Specifically, Senators Booker, Warren, and Representative Khannarequested responses to the following questions: 

 

  1. What is the status of the FTC’s investigation of Tyson Foods’ alleged false marketing?

 

  1. 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 full text of the letter can be found here and below. 

 

 

Serena Viswanathan

Acting Associate Director, Division of Advertising Practices

Bureau of Consumer Protection

Federal Trade Commission

600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, D.C. 20580

 

Dear Acting Associate Director Viswanathan,

 

We write to express concern about complaints submitted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requesting an investigation into Tyson Foods, Inc.’s (Tyson) misleading advertising to consumers. It has been alleged that Tyson has been making false and misleading claims about its poultry products and the labor, sustainability, and animal welfare practices utilized in production. The allegations in these complaints raise serious questions about competition as well as consumer trust.

 

The recent complaints claim that Tyson has been employing false and misleading descriptions of their operations, particularly as it relates to its network of “independent” family farms and safe labor conditions. The company claims in response that its meat is produced in a natural, environmentally sustainable way.

 

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 request that the FTC, which is charged with enforcing civil antitrust law and protecting consumers, investigate this serious matter. 

 

Specifically, we request responses to the following questions:

 

1. What is the status of the FTC’s investigation of Tyson Foods’ alleged false marketing?

 

 

2. 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? 

 

We look forward to learning more about what actions the FTC is considering taking in response to the claims of Tyson’s false advertisements. Thank you foryour attention to this important matter. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Cory A. Booker, Elizabeth Warren, Ro Khanna

 

CC:

The Honorable Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, Acting Chair

The Honorable Noah Phillips, Commissioner

The Honorable Rohit Chopra, Commissioner

The Honorable Christine S. Wilson, Commissioner

 

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