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Source: Tyson Foods, Inc.

Tyson Names New Group Vice President, Consumer Products

Move Supports Company's Strategic Direction

SPRINGDALE, Ark., Jan. 4, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- A long-time senior executive of Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN) has been named the new Group Vice President of Consumer Products, the company announced today. Donnie Smith assumes this position immediately, lending his considerable industry experience and leadership abilities to Tyson's talented consumer products team.

Smith has most recently been Group Vice President of Logistics and Operations Services for Tyson. He has nearly 30 years of experience in the food industry and has been part of the Tyson team since 1980 in a wide variety of key roles. He started his career in poultry operations and became a senior leader in the purchasing and supply chain departments. He also served as Chief Information Officer, successfully leading the company's development of a new information technology strategic plan.

Scott McNair is leaving the head position in Tyson Consumer Products and will be joining The Schwan Food Company as president of the company's home delivery business unit.

"We are extremely fortunate to have a tremendously talented group of professionals in consumer products, who have worked in this field for many years and launched several impressive and successful campaigns," said Tyson's President and CEO Dick Bond. "Now, we have an extraordinary opportunity to merge this talent with Donnie Smith's inspirational leadership skills as we continue our momentum in meeting customer and consumer needs with innovative, new products."

Tyson's strategic focus is built on creating innovative and insight-driven food solutions and optimizing commodity businesses and managing margins. It also includes building a true multinational enterprise and revolutionizing the conversion of raw materials and by-products into significantly profitable initiatives.

Hal Carper, Senior Vice President of Corporate Research and Development, will assume most of Smith's previous duties. Carper's new title will be Group Vice President of Research & Development, Logistics and Technical Services. Craig Bacon, Vice President of Research & Development, will become Senior Vice President of Corporate Research and Development, and will continue to report to Carper. Ted Burnett, Vice President of Manufacturing Services, will remain in his current position, but will report to Donnie King, Group Vice President of Operations.

Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. Tyson provides products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 80 countries. The company has approximately 104,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.

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