AGP Executive Report

Food Safety: The CDC and FDA declared the nation’s largest cyclospora outbreak over, with nearly 13,000 reported cases across 21 states tied to recalled iceberg lettuce; officials say all related lettuce is off the market, but the source of contamination still isn’t clear. Inflation & Groceries: New CPI data showed U.S. consumer prices accelerated in August (3.4% year over year), keeping pressure on the Fed to raise rates next week—an outlook that could keep grocery costs elevated. Retail & Convenience: Trader Joe’s is moving forward with a new Fort Worth store, with construction expected to start in late 2026 and alcohol sales steps already cleared. Food Industry Deals: Barilla is set to acquire Goodles, signaling continued investor appetite for “better-for-you” brands. Public Health Policy: Medical groups issued independent fall vaccine guidance for COVID-19, flu, and RSV amid federal advisory uncertainty. Consumer & Workplace: A lawsuit alleges Pete and Gerry’s misrepresents hen conditions as “free range” or “pasture raised.”

Food Safety Recall: A New York distributor recalled about 264 pounds of De Todito potato chips in New Jersey and Utah after USDA FSIS said the snacks contained pork cracklings imported from Colombia, a country barred from shipping meat products to the U.S. Public Health/Health Trends: A new study links ultra-processed foods to accelerated biological aging and higher death risk, while another report highlights blueberries’ potential role in lowering blood pressure. Inflation & Grocery Costs: Reuters reports August consumer prices may have accelerated as gasoline costs rebounded, with tariffs also adding pressure—an issue that can hit food budgets fast. Food Access Funding: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced the FY 2027 NourishMD Grant Program application round, targeting fresh-food retail expansion in food deserts with about $3.67 million in grants. Retail & Stadium Food: Aramark is rolling out nearly 40 new food and drink options at U.S. Bank Stadium for the Vikings’ season, including local debuts. Food Safety Inspections: Berks County food safety reports show multiple restaurants with violations, including issues tied to refrigerated ready-to-eat temperature control.

Tariff Pressure on Groceries: A new ranking estimates Florida has paid about $12B in executive tariffs since Jan. 2025, with food, beverages, and other essentials among the most hit imports—another reminder that trade policy can land directly in the grocery bill. Trade War Escalation: The U.S.-Canada dispute has moved from tariffs to import bans, including a Sept. 29 U.S. ban on most Canadian alcohol and added dairy pressure—agri-food makers on both sides are bracing for demand shocks. Sugar Antitrust: General Mills, Mars, and McKee Foods sued major sugar producers in Chicago, alleging coordinated price hikes via a data-sharing clearinghouse; the case targets billions in damages tied to granulated sugar used across packaged foods. Protein-Focused Pantry Trends: Instacart data shows “protein” and “fiber” searches surging alongside GLP-1 demand, driving big jumps in canned sardine and other tinned fish sales. Food Waste Tech: A Cambridge High student built FreshTrack to help households track groceries and cut waste, aiming to monetize it by year’s end. Food Safety Basics: A fall-focused Q&A highlights keeping packed lunches at safe temperatures and using insulated bags to prevent foodborne illness. Retail Delivery Expansion: Walmart is rolling out Dunkin delivery through its app and website at select New Jersey stores, with broader rollout planned.

U.S.-Canada Trade War: The U.S. escalated its dispute with Canada by announcing import bans on Canadian alcohol plus other products, including whey, molasses and motorcycles, set to start Sept. 29—an approach trade experts call “extremely unusual” and likely to hit specific categories hardest. Food Safety & Recalls: USDA/Food Safety and Inspection Service recalled 264 pounds of potato chips with chicharrón (pork cracklings) made in Colombia, a country ineligible to export meat products to the U.S.; no illnesses reported. Health & Diet: New research links daily sugar-sweetened beverage intake with higher gastric cancer risk, while a separate report highlights one sugary drink a day may more than double stomach cancer risk. Retail & Restaurants: CJ CheilJedang is pushing bibigo Sticky White Rice in the U.S. with a “Sticks To Anything” campaign, and JOEY Restaurants opens its second Dallas location, JOEY Maple, on Sept. 10. Public Health Policy: Vermont AG Clark joined a coalition suing to block new Title X funding conditions that could strip family planning money from states and providers.

Food Prices & Pantry Pressure: Grocery bills are driving a homesteading revival, with more Americans canning and preserving at home as food costs rise and trust in store prices wobbles. Antitrust & Eggs: After a price-fixing settlement, 17 states are distributing tens of millions of free eggs to food banks, though lawyers warn the logistics of getting eggs to people could be messy. Trade War Hits Food & Drink: The U.S. escalated its Canada trade fight with bans on Canadian alcohol and dairy, while economists debate how much it will land in grocery bills. Hunger Relief Push: Ameriprise is again matching donations to Feeding America through Oct. 31, aiming to turn each dollar into 20 meals. New Products & Retail: Khloé Kardashian’s Khloud protein snacks are expanding into Canada, and The Human Bean rolled out fall drinks. Convenience & Prepared Food: Casey’s reported inside same-store sales up 3.2%, with prepared food and dispensed beverages leading. Food Safety Watch: FDA and regulators are under scrutiny as outbreaks and recall concerns keep rising.

Trade War Hits Food & Drink: The U.S. is set to ban a wide range of Canadian alcohol, dairy and motorcycles as retaliation escalates, with the bans tied to Canada’s new $20B retaliatory tariffs—raising new uncertainty for U.S. beverage and dairy supply chains. Courtroom Food Fight: A federal judge ruled Smucker’s lawsuit against Trader Joe’s over frozen PB&J sandwiches can proceed, keeping alive claims that Trader Joe’s products are too similar to Uncrustables. Food Safety Alert: USDA recalled more than 1,500 pounds of imported pork guanciale due to possible listeria contamination, a Class I recall. Hunger Pressure in Schools: SNAP cuts are putting free school meals at risk for millions of children, with eligibility tied to SNAP/Medicaid participation. Retail & Ingredients: In-N-Out changed two bun/seasoning ingredients, sparking customer backlash and renewed scrutiny of fast-food reformulations. Local Food Community: Arizona expanded access to flu (and updated COVID) shots via pharmacist “standing orders,” aiming to reduce delays for vaccinations.

School Meals Watch: A new 2026 State of School Lunch report ranks Vermont No. 1 for school meal reach and access, with New Mexico, New York, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. close behind—highlighting how states boost breakfast/lunch participation and reduce barriers for families. Retail Expansion: Lidl is opening new stores in New York (including Tappan and Staten Island), rolling out rotating bakery items and pushing its Lidl Plus loyalty app. Grocery & Food Safety: USDA/FSIS issued a Class I recall of more than 1,500 pounds of imported ready-to-eat pork products due to potential listeria contamination. Fast Food Growth: Whataburger plans 17 new locations by late November, including two in Florida (Fort Myers and Estero). Trade Pressure on Food: Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods took effect, hitting sectors that include dairy, cheeses and baking mixes—raising the stakes for grocery costs and food supply chains. Local Food Culture: Wheatland, Iowa’s Pumpkin Growers Club is staging a Sept. 26 giant pumpkin weigh-off, including a new 3,000-lb contest.

Food Safety Watch: A cyclospora outbreak tied to contaminated lettuce is raising fresh alarms about imported produce, while FDA foreign inspections are down nearly 35% since 2019—an issue regulators say is worsening as staffing and resources tighten. Recall Alert: USDA/FSIS issued a Class I recall for about 1,513 pounds of imported dry-cured pork guanciale due to possible Listeria contamination, with product distributed across multiple states. Border Food Controls: Taiwan rejected two U.S. frozen beef tongue shipments after parasite tests, triggering batch-by-batch inspections for the importer. Trade & Groceries: Canada’s dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods took effect, adding uncertainty for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade deal that affects agri-food supply chains. Industry & Innovation: Researchers used AI to optimize fully bio-based cellulose hydrogels made from crop residues, aiming for safer, high-absorption materials. Retail & Convenience: Wawa opened a new 24/7 store in Middletown, expanding its footprint in the region.

Food Safety Recalls: USDA/FSIS issued a listeria-linked recall covering about 1,513 pounds of imported ready-to-eat pork products (dry-cured guanciale pork jowl) shipped to multiple states, urging consumers and retailers to check lot codes and use-by dates. Public Health & Food Access: South Carolina delayed a SNAP “Healthy Food SC” restriction that would have barred certain sugary drinks and candy until Nov. 1 while legal reviews continue. Food Waste & Sustainability: Nashville is urged to treat compost as an economic asset, cutting landfill methane and costs ahead of Food Waste Prevention Week. Food Security: Central Illinois Foodbank received a 34,000-pound shipment of food via a nationwide church initiative, expanding meals across a 21-county network. Nutrition & Consumer Trends: A guide highlights how adding coconut water can upgrade iced tea, while another piece spotlights apples’ fiber and plant compounds for digestion and heart health. Industry/Media: Michelin-starred chef Mory Sacko’s “Food Samurai” heads to Disney+ U.S./Canada on Sept. 30.

Food Safety & Recalls: Prestige Consumer Healthcare recalled nearly 40,000 bottles of Clear Eyes Maximum Itchy Eye Relief nationwide after a sterility concern flagged “lack of assurance of sterility,” with no injuries reported so far. Food & Agriculture Policy: USDA announced the “Ranchers First Initiative” to rebuild the U.S. beef herd, including expanding independent and regional processing via a guaranteed loan program. FDA & Consumer Health: FDA issued four coordinated warning letters to peptide sellers, alleging they illegally market unapproved peptide products as drugs. Trade & Cost Pressure: A report says Puerto Rico paid $919.7M in tariffs in 2025—nearly 4x 2024—after sweeping Trump-era tariff actions reshaped import costs. Tourism & Local Spending: Northeast Tennessee hit $1.01B in visitor spending in 2025, with food and beverage the biggest share after transportation. Business Support: SBA’s STEP grant opened for Colorado small businesses seeking up to $770,000 for international sales and marketing.

Food Safety & Recalls: Summer of recalls is exposing gaps in the U.S. food safety net, with regulators and experts pointing to system-wide weaknesses that leave consumers exposed. Regulatory Oversight: FDA posted an Aug. 11 inspection of Omni-Chem 136, LLC in Indianapolis; the final report said no corrective action was needed for management operations. SNAP Policy: Ohio delayed its SNAP sugary drink purchase ban after a federal request, keeping the Oct. 1 start on hold while USDA/FNA issues guidance. Supply Chain Costs: Record U.S. diesel prices—driven by U.S.-Iran tensions—are expected to ripple through trucking, agriculture, and retail, raising costs for groceries and other staples. Industry & Trade: A complaint alleges a lobbyist for China-owned Smithfield Foods failed to disclose CCP ties on Farm Bill filings, raising questions about foreign influence in U.S. agriculture. Local Food Access: Food insecurity is deepening in North Carolina, with reports highlighting growing pressure on regional food systems. Consumer Trends: Americans’ favorite ice cream flavors in 2026 are being ranked using survey data, reflecting shifting tastes in the frozen dessert aisle.

Food Safety & Recalls: Clorox Puerto Rico recalled 6.3M bottles of scented Mistolin/Lestoil cleaners after possible Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination, with higher risk flagged for immunocompromised travelers using vacation rentals. Public Health: A large U.S. study found daily sugary drinks more than doubled stomach cancer risk, with higher risk among women. School Meals: New Mexico says its universal free school lunch/breakfast program is secured through at least 2030, as other districts cut back amid federal SNAP-related changes. Beef & Grocery Costs: Central Texas fair vendors say beef prices have more than doubled, forcing menu cuts and price hikes, while ranchers benefit but worry herd rebuilding is stalling. Supply Chain & Policy: Trump’s plan to import 660M pounds of beef drew pushback from Farm Bureau, warning it could harm the long-term U.S. cattle market. Fraud & Food Assistance: The FBI says it arrested Manjit Singh Bedi in India, accused of SNAP benefits fraud tied to a Tacoma grocery store. Travel Health Alert: The U.S. embassy in Havana issued a Cuba health alert for rising diarrheal illness linked to failing water and power affecting food storage. Community Food Culture: Mervis’ Cafe in Fort Pierce keeps Cuban recipes alive for decades, blending food, family history, and a local post office inside the restaurant.

Food Safety Recall: FDA recalled Hodo Fried Tofu (Chili Crisp Lightly Fried Tofu) in 29 states due to potential ink chemical contamination, affecting more than 10,000 cases. Grocery Value Pressure: Kroger, Publix and other chains are feeling the squeeze as shoppers shift to private labels and trade down on meat/seafood amid higher grocery stress. Beef Policy & Prices: Iowa cattle leaders are watching federal and state moves as Trump pushes changes aimed at lowering beef prices, while lawmakers argue for expanding domestic production and protecting standards. Ranching & Processing: Trump signed executive orders to expand ranchers’ meat processing and interstate sales, with ag groups reacting as the industry weighs consumer impact vs. producer needs. SNAP Storm Relief: Texas HHSC got federal approval to extend SNAP replacement benefits in Bexar County after storms, with reporting deadlines extended to help families replace lost food. Local Food Insecurity: The Salvation Army is asking for donations to replenish Hawaiʻi Island food pantries after Hurricane Lala, citing rising demand. Wildlife & Land Use: U.S. Forest Service completed goshawk surveys ahead of potential timber sales on Alaska’s Wrangell Island, finding no goshawks in the surveyed areas. Food & Culture: Paris Baguette plans a new Greenville, S.C. bakery café, bringing its self-serve pastry and coffee format to Magnolia Park.

Food Safety Strain: A Reuters report on the cyclosporiasis outbreak says decades of underfunded food-safety programs left the U.S. less able to detect and contain widespread illness. Salmonella Link: San Diego County says genetic testing tied a regional Salmonella outbreak to eggs from Happy Hens poultry farm in Ramona, with FDA finding Salmonella in hen houses and a voluntary recall urged. Public Health Alert: The U.S. embassy in Havana issued a health alert for Cuba, citing rising diarrheal illness tied to failing water and electricity that disrupt food storage and refrigeration. Global Food Prices: FAO reports the world food price index hit its highest level since late 2022 as weather, war, and trade disruptions tighten supplies. Beef Policy & Prices: The White House plan to import discounted beef trimmings aims to lower ground beef costs, but economists and industry say savings may not reach shoppers. Tariffs Hit Food Supply Chains: Canadian honey producers warn U.S. tariffs could flood the domestic market and push prices down. Wildlife & Food Systems: Yellowstone will close Buffalo Creek and use rotenone to remove invasive rainbow trout to protect native cutthroat trout. Pet Health: FDA authorized OTC Capstar and revised Nitenpyram EUAs to prevent and treat New World screwworm in dogs and cats. Travel & Food Security: Coast Guard rescued 37 people adrift off Oxnard after running out of fuel, food, and water.

FDA & Health: FDA is coordinating with six manufacturers to boost supply of estradiol transdermal menopause patches as demand rises after the agency removed a boxed warning; availability may vary by pharmacy, but estradiol patches remain on the market. Recalls & Safety: American Regent recalled three lots of 30 ml multiple-dose epinephrine injection vials after reports of leaking and cracked vials that raised sterility concerns. Foodborne Illness Watch: The U.S. Embassy in Havana issued a health alert for a spike in diarrheal illness in Cuba, tying cases to deteriorating water and energy infrastructure and advising extra caution with perishable foods. Food Policy & Access: SNAP cuts could ripple into school meal programs, with more than a million children losing SNAP access and some districts facing funding risk for free breakfast and lunch. Trade & Groceries: Canada-U.S. tariff tensions are pushing retailers to flag tariff-affected items and shift sourcing; Loblaw says it will use a “T” symbol for U.S.-sourced products impacted by tariffs. Supply Chain Costs: Diesel hit a record $5.85–$5.848 a gallon, a freight-fuel shock that can flow into grocery prices.

Food Safety Alerts: FDA announced a nationwide recall of epinephrine injections after reports of cracked vials and sterility/particulate concerns, a reminder that critical meds can be affected by manufacturing issues. Foodborne Illness Watch: Michigan’s Cyclospora outbreak keeps climbing, with the state reporting 14,718 patients as of Sept. 3, while the CDC tracks multiple outbreaks tied to iceberg lettuce. Recall Pressure on Shoppers: Coverage also highlights a broader wave of U.S. recalls tied to Salmonella/E. coli and other contamination risks, adding to consumer anxiety about what’s safe to eat. Retail & Convenience: Costco’s latest rotating finds spotlight higher-protein and gluten-free options, while Walmart is expanding grocery delivery partnerships with Dunkin. Labor Day Food Safety: Public health guidance stresses keeping hot foods hot, cold foods cold, and using a thermometer—because holiday cookouts are prime conditions for bacteria growth. Industry & Markets: Couche-Tard reported rising profits, while Lululemon cut its outlook—both signals of shifting consumer spending trends.