AGP Executive Report

Food Safety: USDA recalled about 946 pounds of Imperio beef jerky made without federal inspection and carrying an unauthorized inspection mark. The products went to retailers in seven states; no illnesses have been reported. Seafood Industry: The administration’s plan to expand U.S. seafood production includes a voluntary “U.S. Caught Seafood” label, more domestic processing and access to federal food-purchasing programs. Farm Labor: Immigration enforcement in California’s Central Valley is keeping some farmworkers home and slowing field work, farm groups report. Grocery Costs: The administration is pushing upgraded food-assistance cards to combat fraud as households face pressure from high food prices. A new consumer study also finds affordability and food processing shape buying decisions. Retail and Restaurants: H Mart plans to open a Tampa store with a seven-brand food hall, while McDonald’s is bringing the McRib back to select U.S. cities this week.

Food Safety: Natural Grocers recalled store-brand mung beans after customers reported sharp glass fragments; the affected bags were sold in more than 20 states. Children’s Nutrition: A new study links higher ultra-processed food consumption with stronger brain responses to junk-food images and greater body fat, adding to concern about children’s diets. Food Assistance: USDA proposed requiring chip-enabled SNAP cards and tap-to-pay terminals at participating retailers to curb benefit theft. Egg Ingredients: Viral claims of lab-grown shell eggs in U.S. stores are false; fermentation-made egg proteins are entering some foods, but they are not whole eggs. Consumer Choices: A survey of U.S. grocery shoppers finds processing, ingredients and affordability all shape purchasing decisions, as rising candy prices weigh on Halloween sales. Seafood Industry: The Trump administration announced a $5 billion plan to revive U.S. seafood, including a new label for domestically caught fish.

Halloween Candy: U.S. candy sales remain under pressure as households cut back amid rising costs. NielsenIQ reported a 6.7% year-over-year drop in the latest month, following an 11.7% decline in mid-September; smaller bags are holding up better than large ones. Seafood Industry: The administration launched an America First seafood strategy, including a $5 billion loan program to expand domestic processing and a new label for U.S.-caught fish. Food Safety: The FDA proposed draft action levels for cadmium in baby food, while a listeria outbreak has sickened 46 people without a confirmed food source. Beverage Partnerships: Taco Bell and PepsiCo extended their deal through 2036, with plans to develop more beverage options.

Food Costs: U.S. candy sales fell 11.7% as households squeezed by rising fuel and other essential costs cut back on Halloween treats. Food banks are also reporting increased demand ahead of the holidays. Seafood Industry: The Trump administration unveiled a seafood strategy featuring a proposed voluntary “U.S. Caught Seafood” label and at least $5 billion in guaranteed loans to expand domestic meat and seafood processing. Food Safety: The FDA issued draft guidance proposing action levels for cadmium in baby food. Restaurant Deals: Taco Bell extended its PepsiCo partnership through 2036, keeping Baja Blast and other PepsiCo drinks on its U.S. menus.

Grocery Costs: Ground beef and strawberries have climbed in price, putting pressure on families asked to eat more protein and produce. Food Safety: WinCo recalled hoagie rolls sold in seven Western states because sesame was missing from the label; the FDA also proposed action levels for cadmium in baby food. Seafood Industry: The administration unveiled an American-caught seafood label and a strategy to boost domestic fishing and processing, including a $5 billion loan program. Food Security: Food banks report rising need as household budgets tighten, while SNAP participation is falling. Food Regulation: Enforcement of the U.S. food traceability rule has been pushed back to July 2028. Consumer Brands: CJ CheilJedang is expanding its microwavable rice business overseas, with the United States its largest market.

Food Safety: WinCo recalled its hoagie rolls in seven western states, including Idaho, after packaging failed to list sesame, a potentially serious allergen. Seafood Policy: The Trump administration unveiled an “American-made” seafood label and a strategy to boost domestic fishing and processing, including a $5 billion loan program for ranchers and fishermen. Halloween Spending: U.S. candy sales fell 6.7% in the month through Oct. 17 as high living costs and fuel prices squeezed household budgets; smaller bags were the only size gaining sales. Food Costs: Nearly 60% of adults surveyed by Consumer Reports said they had made trade-offs to pay utility bills, including cutting back on food, while food banks report rising need. Regulation: The FDA proposed action levels for cadmium in baby food, and enforcement of the U.S. food traceability rule has been delayed until July 2028.

Seafood & Processing: The administration unveiled an American-made seafood label and a $5 billion loan program to expand processing for U.S. ranchers and fishermen. SNAP Security: USDA proposed requiring states to add chip and tap-to-pay technology to benefit cards within two years, after at least $360 million in stolen benefits was replaced. Trade & Costs: Trump removed some 50% tariffs on Canadian packaging materials and machinery but added cocoa powder to the list of tariffed goods, creating a mixed outlook for food businesses. Food Access: Food banks report rising demand ahead of the holidays, as one estimate warns U.S. households could face $22 billion in added food costs. Restaurants: California’s new allergen-disclosure law is putting pressure on chains to identify major allergens on menus, with similar requirements in the FDA Food Code. Beverages: Taco Bell and PepsiCo extended their partnership through 2036, with plans to develop new drinks for morning and afternoon occasions.

Restaurant Relief: Puerto Rico’s governor proposed a temporary sales-tax exemption on restaurant meals for November and December to ease pressure from rising energy costs; the plan awaits review by the island’s fiscal board. Food Safety: A listeria outbreak has sickened 46 people, with no food source identified as the FDA begins inspections and sampling. Farm Supply: The administration announced a $1.3 billion push for U.S. fertilizer production, aiming to strengthen domestic supply and support farmers. Food Assistance: A federal enforcement sweep targeted alleged fraud involving nearly $42 million in SNAP benefits, while USDA proposed requiring states to replace swipe-only benefit cards with chip-enabled cards to curb theft. Beverage Business: Taco Bell and PepsiCo renewed their partnership through 2036, with plans to develop drinks for emerging trends, including energy beverages. Farm Markets: USDA forecasts U.S. milk production of 236.9 billion pounds in 2026 and 238.4 billion in 2027, both lower than its previous estimates.

Food Safety: The FDA has begun inspecting and sampling in an active Listeria outbreak involving 46 illnesses, but has not identified the food source. Separately, thousands of Walmart Great Value fruit cocktail cans were recalled. Craft Spirits: An Idaho distiller says a federal tax provision for spirits made with wine or flavorings gives large liquor companies an advantage over small producers making traditional whiskey. Foodservice: Sodexo reported 2% organic revenue growth for fiscal 2026, with its operating margin at 3.4%; New Orleans’ Dakar NOLA also earned a Michelin star. Farm Costs: A $1.3 billion federal investment in domestic fertilizer production aims to support U.S. farmers and help reduce input costs.

Industry Investment: Chobani won preliminary approval for a 60,525-square-foot addition at its Pennsylvania campus, part of plans to establish its first dairy manufacturing operation in the state. Danone is also investing $40 million in an Ohio facility that will turn yogurt waste into energy. Consumer Trends: Natural Products Expo West’s 2027 forecast points to renewed interest in heritage dairy, ancient grains, transparent sourcing and products with targeted health benefits. Food Costs: Halloween candy prices are up more than 15% this year as cocoa and sugar costs climb; meanwhile, rising household bills are forcing some Americans to cut grocery spending, and Oregon’s SNAP-Ed nutrition program has closed after federal funding was eliminated. Food Supply: USDA confirmed New World screwworm in a Texas elk, the first detection in U.S. wildlife in the current outbreak, raising concern for livestock and agriculture. Market Pressure: Pepsi is closing another U.S. plant amid a soft-drink slump, while Wendy’s is betting a $7.99 Dave’s Single combo can help draw customers back.

Food Safety: Kayem recalled nearly 1.6 million pounds of meat after refrigeration failures. Trade Costs: A New Jersey food importer is suing over 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, warning of added pressure on cross-border food trade. Restaurant Moves: Wendy’s is betting a new meal deal will lift traffic, Taco Bell has introduced a $2 item, and Noodles & Company made three brothless ramen bowls permanent. Food Affordability: Surveys find some Americans are cutting grocery spending to cover electricity bills, while about 47,000 Californians could lose CalFresh benefits under new federal requirements. Beverage & Delivery: KFC plans to switch its U.S. restaurants from Pepsi to Coca-Cola in 2027, and Instacart agreed to pay a $5 million penalty in a U.S. worker-discrimination case.

Trade & Supply Chains: A U.S. food importer is challenging the Trump administration’s 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, raising the stakes for businesses that rely on cross-border food trade. Food Safety: Kayem recalled nearly 1.6 million pounds of meat after refrigeration failures, a major disruption for shoppers and retailers. Household Budgets: One in five Americans surveyed said higher electric bills forced them to cut grocery spending, as food costs keep squeezing families. Restaurant Value: Wendy’s launched a limited-time $7.99 Dave’s Single combo as chains compete for budget-conscious customers. Farm Support: Washington state received $4.7 million in federal grants for 21 specialty-crop projects, including work on food safety, pest management and farm resilience. Drinks Business: Washington’s beer and wine producers are adjusting to falling alcohol consumption and an oversupply built up during the pandemic.

Food Safety: Kayem Foods recalled nearly 1.6 million pounds of cooked meat and poultry after a warehouse cooling failure caused temperature deviations; consumers are urged not to eat affected products. Trade & Costs: New Jersey importer Gellert Global Group is challenging 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, saying cheese duties alone could cost it about $40 million a year. Retail: Regional convenience-store chains with strong food offerings drew more visits than national rivals: Buc-ee’s visits rose 7.6% year over year, while 7-Eleven’s fell 2.5%. Food Access: Chobani employees packed and distributed 700 food boxes locally as part of the company’s Let’s Eat Week; its nationwide effort is set to reach about 56,000 people. Supply: USDA plans to resume Mexican cattle imports through Nogales, a development to watch for the U.S. beef supply chain.

Food Safety: Kayem recalled 1.58 million pounds of meat and poultry after a cooler malfunction raised concerns about temperature abuse. Separate alerts flagged Lidl gelato for possible Listeria and cheese sold in 13 states over E. coli fears. Grocery Operations: Hannaford’s website is back online after a cybersecurity incident disrupted sites at several Ahold Delhaize chains, including Giant Food; the company says it has no evidence customer or employee data was taken. Restaurant News: Red Lobster is adding late-night happy hour deals and a new Old Bay shrimp option to its $24.99 Endless Shrimp promotion. Manufacturing: Nestlé plans to close its Solon, Ohio, factory by the end of 2027, shifting pouch production to South Carolina; the campus’s research and corporate operations will remain. Product Launches: Mondelēz introduced gluten-free Ritz crackers, while Lay’s is bringing turkey, scalloped-potato and chocolate holiday chips to U.S. shelves. Food Access: A Bronx food pantry serving up to 8,000 people monthly has paused operations after its founder was detained at an immigration court appearance.

Food Safety: A nationwide, highest-risk USDA recall covers more than 1.5 million pounds of meat and poultry over improper storage. Trader Joe’s also faces a lawsuit alleging two customers were hospitalized with E. coli after eating its wraps. New Products: Lay’s is bringing five holiday-inspired chips to U.S. shelves, including roasted turkey, scalloped potatoes and chocolate-coated flavors. Restaurant & Brand Moves: KFC will switch its U.S. restaurants from Pepsi to Coca-Cola in 2027, ending a nearly four-decade partnership. Samyang Foods is setting up a U.S. lab to develop its next hit beyond Buldak. Food & Health: A study of more than 460,000 U.S. adults found no overall link between ultra-processed food intake and bowel cancer, but ultra-processed meats were associated with higher risk. Local Food: U.S. schools reported buying $1.8 billion in locally produced food, with 57.2% of school food authorities serving local products.

Food Safety: Kayem Foods recalled about 1.58 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat, including hot dogs, bacon and deli products, over possible unsafe temperature exposure. USDA says consumers should not eat affected items; no illnesses have been confirmed. Grocery Disruption: Giant Food Stores’ website and app remain down in the cyberattack’s second week, disrupting online shopping as parent Ahold Delhaize works to restore service. Grocery Costs: Import tariffs could raise prices for staples such as coffee, fruit, seafood and chocolate as added costs move through supply chains. E. Coli Lawsuit: Two women say Trader Joe’s Tarragon Chicken Salad Wraps left them hospitalized; FDA investigators are probing 50 reported E. coli cases linked to a multi-ingredient chicken wrap.