that I had for seven years after a wheat allergy popped up. Yes, allergy, meaning rash and wheezing. They came out with a gluten free chicken strip that killed the craving off so I could go back to my beans and rice.

It all depends on what Tyson does with this company. My guess is that they will leave the meat free formulas that are working alone and improve the seasoning of the stuff that isn't working. I doubt they'll add ground chicken or pink slime to any of it. I haven't tried any of Beyond's products, I'd have to read the labels to see if the ingredients would make me break out and wheeze. However, I doubt investment by Tyson is going to do much but reallocate the profits.

I hate when they do this. Don't put the non-meat items next to the meat items - please!!! I have routes mapped out through every grocery store I shop at, to avoid the gross, disgusting meat department. There is one store, a King Soopers, that I won't even shop in, cuz it stinks of the meat department as soon as you walk in.

The other day I picked up some Tofurkey Italian sausages & a young man saw me & asked if they were good. I told him they were so good I had to put them in the fridge as soon as they were cooked or I would nibble them all gone before putting them in my recipe. He bought one, too. I hate Tyson & what they do, but if they can raise awareness, & convince people that they don't need meat, then I guess you take the good where you can.

Now it's up to us whether to buy vegetarian products from them or to choose other products from other manufacturers.

Actually for the second time, they used to be owned by Dean foods and now they're owned by Groupe Danone (aka Dannon in the US.) A lot of natural food companies were bought up in the two thousandsies by big food conglomerates.

I know from experience (getting a small vegan company's products into new stores used to be my job) that distribution in the biggest obstacle to growing a niche food company. Once you're in all the little mom and pop shops getting into the big natural foods chains is a big expensive hassle. Making the jump from there to the big regional conventional grocery chains? We didn't even try that where I worked, the costs are enormous and the obstacles too significant. If partnering with a big conventional food company and giving them a stake means getting to take advantage of their contacts and reputation in the food industry? That's a huge difference maker.

That said I personally find Beyond Meat's products underwhelming. Haven't tried their burger yet though.

I've tried Beyond Meat's products and they aren't very good. They are dry, mealy and tasteless except for an odd aftertaste.

As for Tyson investing... I won't buy Beyond Meat products now, for certain. It's (dare I say it?) beyond me to understand why a vegetarian company would want money from slaughterers. I also find the fake blood thing in their burger to be disgusting.

Veganism is a lifestyle, not just a diet. The diet-only is strict vegetarianism. I'm vegan and have been for over 25 years. I'm cautious and careful about what I buy. It takes little effort to be a conscious consumer, especially with the world at our fingertips on the 'net.