No, Tyson Foods did not announce a plan to add insects to food for people

As the world population grows, insects have become increasingly popular as a potential meat alternative because they’re high in protein and more sustainable to farm.

Multiple VERIFY readers wondered whether food processor Tyson Foods, which is most well-known for its poultry products, was joining the trend. Debbie sent us a text to ask: “Is it true that Tyson Foods is now partnering with a company in order to add insects to our food?”

THE QUESTION

Did Tyson Foods partner with a company to add insects to food for people?

THE SOURCES

• Tyson Foods
• Spokesperson for Tyson Foods
• Protix, an insect protein company partnering with Tyson Foods
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

THE ANSWER

No, Tyson Foods did not partner with a company to add insects to food for people.

WHAT WE FOUND

Tyson Foods recently announced a partnership with Protix, an insect protein company, to produce food made out of insects for animals, not people.

“Our investment in Protix is an opportunity to upcycle food manufacturing byproducts from our supply chain into high-quality insect proteins,” a Tyson Foods spokesperson told VERIFY. “Products will be used as a sustainable ingredient within premium pet food, and as sustainable protein alternatives for aquatic organisms such as salmon and shrimp. These products are not being added to food intended for human consumption.”

On Oct. 17, 2023, Tyson Foods and Protix announced they were entering a partnership to construct “an insect ingredient facility” in the U.S. “which will primarily be used in the pet food, aquaculture, and livestock industries.”

“The to-be-built facility in the U.S. will house an enclosed system to support all aspects of insect protein production including the breeding, incubating, and hatching of insect larvae,” the companies’ joint press release reads. “In addition to ingredients for the aquaculture and pet food industries, processed larvae may also be used as ingredients within livestock and plant feed.”

Protix serves companies in the pet food, aquaculture feed, livestock feed and organic fertilizer industries, according to the press release.

The Protix product page does not list any human food among the company’s products. Protix sells an “insect-based protein meal” that can be used in “kibble, wet food, treats, or fish food,” an insect oil that is “perfect for healthy and sustainable feed for livestock, fish and pets” and an insect-based puree for pet food.

Likewise, Tyson Foods makes no mention on its website of selling insects or products that contain insects as food for humans. Its pages highlight the company’s businesses in the poultry, pork and cattle industries.

Insects can supplement traditional animal feed sources such as soy, maize, grains and fishmeal, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

While the partnership between Tyson Foods and Protix doesn't involve food meant for human consumption, some insects are edible and safe for people to eat when properly prepared.

Edible insects contain high quality protein, vitamins and amino acids for people, the FAO says. There are no known cases in which insects handled with the same sanitary care as other food have transmitted diseases or parasites to humans, the FAO says.