Tyson shut Yappah, its first Innovation Lab snack, 17 months after launch

In May 2018 Tyson Foods launched Yappah, bite-sized protein crisps made from leftover chicken breast trim, vegetable puree, juice pulp and spent grain from Molson Coors. It was the first brand from the Tyson Innovation Lab, which aimed to bring new consumer products to market within six months and used an Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign that raised $13,542 from 456 people. A 90-day trial began at one Chicago supermarket in July 2018, followed by an online store.

By October 2019 a message on Yappah's website said the team 'decided that the product did not offer the viability that would enable continued investment'. A Tyson spokesperson told Food Dive the company had decided not to go ahead 'for a variety of reasons, including overall viability' and said food waste was still a focus.

Food Dive noted the snack's suggested retail price was $2.99 for a single-serve can, with a six-pack of 1.25-ounce cans at nearly $22 on Amazon. Six recent Amazon reviews were mixed: some praised the concept and taste, others criticised the packaging and price, and two mentioned being cut by the aluminum can. One reviewer wrote that the company 'sacrificed function for the message'.

Tyson said the product lacked 'overall viability', without giving details; Food Dive's explanation relied on public reviews.

At $2.99 a can, a reviewer said it was priced like beef jerky rather than chips, which is a high price for a newly launched snack.

Customers complained about the recyclable aluminum can, with two saying it cut them.

The crowd-funding result was small: $13,542 from 456 backers, which the brand nonetheless called a huge success.

A sustainability story doesn't carry a snack by itself. If the price invites comparison with jerky and chips, the product has to win on both.

Tyson said food waste remained a focus, and Food Dive predicted other food makers would keep launching upcycled-ingredient products, suggesting such concepts may need more development and testing before launch. The article does not report any sales figures or financial loss from Yappah.