An environmental group is suing Tyson Foods for allegedly misleading consumers by saying it will reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and marketing climate-friendly beef without meaningful plans to achieve those goals, Reuters reported.
The suit was filed on Wednesday by the Washington-based Environmental Working Group (EWG) in D.C. Superior Court. Tyson did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Livestock production generates about 14.5% of all anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions globally, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Cattle represent 65% of those emissions.
Tyson is one of the largest meat processing companies in the United States. The company says it produces 20% of the country's beef, pork, and chicken and that the majority of its emissions are from beef production.
In 2021, Tyson said it would achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 by increasing its use of renewable energy and eliminating deforestation in its supply chain, among other steps.
The company also markets a brand of "climate-friendly" beef it says is produced with 10% less emissions than conventional beef.
In its lawsuit, EWG alleges that Tyson has not presented a rigorous plan for reaching its net zero goals or details for its lower-emission beef production and is thus misleading consumers with the claims.
"These type of greenwashing claims are on the rise and consumers have a right to know the truth about their food choices," said Carrie Apfel, an attorney with Earthjustice, on a Wednesday press call.
Earthjustice is representing EWG in the suit alongside the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Edelson PC, and FarmStand.
