SPRINGDALE: Tyson Foods, the world's largest meat producer, says it posted a bigger-than-expected loss in its fiscal second quarter on charges and declining beef sales.

The Springdale, Ark.-based company also sought to assure customers worried about the recent swine flu outbreak, saying it was too soon to predict the virus's impact.

Tyson Foods Inc. lost $104 million, or 28 cents per share, for the period ended March 28. That compares with a loss of $5 million, or 2 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

Charges of 19 cents per share were related to a change in the way some taxes are recorded and a plant closing.

Sales dipped 1 percent to $6.31 billion from $6.34 billion.

Analysts expected a loss of 6 cents per share on revenue of $6.64 billion. Analyst estimates typically exclude one-time charges.