AGP Executive Report

Beef Prices vs. Producers: U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins defended Trump’s plan to allow 300,000 metric tons of imported “products for ground beef,” saying it could cut ground beef costs by 25%, while Iowa farm groups and cattle leaders warn it undercuts U.S. producers and discourages herd expansion. Food Safety Alert: CDC says alfalfa sprouts tied to a multi-germ E. coli and Salmonella outbreak have sickened at least 55 people across 15 states, with 4 hospitalizations; FDA urges consumers to throw out or return affected sprouts. SNAP Pressure: SNAP enrollment fell more than 13% in 12 months as Trump’s “big beautiful bill” tightened rules and increased paperwork burdens, with advocates blaming administrative hurdles for people losing benefits. Retail Value Push: Walmart and Target results show shoppers are still buying, but making tougher trade-offs as gas prices squeeze budgets—raising pressure on food and everyday essentials. Fast-Food Health Lawsuit: A Chicago woman alleges a Wendy’s meal delivered via DoorDash caused a Campylobacter infection and seeks $93,000 in medical bills. Energy Drink Move: McDonald’s began selling an energy drink in U.S. restaurants, betting on beverages to drive younger customer visits.

Heat & Food Security: Central North Carolina gardeners are seeing heat and drought stress hit plants hard, with extreme temperatures shutting down key processes that keep crops alive—raising stakes for home food growing. Pollinator Risk: UC Davis research finds queen bees can “offload” pesticide chemicals into eggs, showing how pesticide exposure may keep harming hives even as worker bees struggle. Food Safety Alert: CDC and FDA are investigating an alfalfa-sprout outbreak tied to E. coli and salmonella across 15 states, with 55 reported illnesses and guidance to throw out or return affected products. Retail & Consumer Safety: Publix recalled frozen berries after the FDA flagged the highest risk level, adding to a wider recall surge. Beef Prices & Trade: Trump’s plan to allow 300,000 metric tons of tariff-free ground beef imports for 90 days drew cattle-industry backlash over whether it will actually lower prices. ICE Hunger Scrutiny: Reports on ICE detention centers describe migrants spending thousands on overpriced commissary food to avoid “deplorable” meals, fueling renewed pressure on facility food conditions. FDA Innovation: FDA cleared PrecivityAD2, a blood test designed to help identify Alzheimer’s-related amyloid plaques earlier. Local Food Access: A study links neighborhood healthy-food access to broader housing, crime, and school conditions—not just the number of grocery stores. School Meals: Oklahoma ended a federal program funding third meals for schools with expanded hours, potentially affecting student nutrition.

Beef Relief Meets Supply Reality: Trump is temporarily easing ground beef tariffs for 90 days and allowing up to 300,000 metric tons of imports, aiming to cut prices as the U.S. cattle herd hits a 75-year low. Retail Speed Arms Race: Walmart expanded its 30-minutes-or-less delivery to 38 markets, betting faster fulfillment will drive repeat shopping and Walmart+ sign-ups. Club Growth Watch: BJ’s reported double-digit Q2 gains as it accelerates store expansion and leans on price investments. Food Safety Alerts: FDA upgraded a frozen berry recall tied to an E. coli outbreak to Class 1; Canada says there’s no sign the recalled products reached its market. Worker Safety: OSHA fined pet food maker NaturPak $364K+ after deadly Janesville explosions. Hunger Pressure: New Hampshire food insecurity rose to 11.7% in 2024, with child rates climbing to 15.5%, as federal survey delays raise concerns. Produce Price Pain: Shoppers are feeling sticker shock across fruits and vegetables, with weather, labor, energy, and shipping costs all squeezing supply. Walmart & Gen Z: Numerator data shows Gen Z added 77M Walmart shopping trips worth $3.4B over the past year, including big gains in beverage, snacks, candy and frozen foods.

Food Safety Alert: Wisconsin and Minnesota health officials say alfalfa sprouts from Calco and Everything Sprouts are linked to a multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak, with dozens sickened and more cases expected—consumers are urged to throw out affected sprouts. Restaurant & Consumer Trends: Outback Steakhouse is leaning into steak affordability with new menu cut sizes, while Mexican fast-casual Guzman y Gomez reported a profit jump driven by stronger Australia network sales after exiting the U.S. Policy & Regulation: Trump nominated Dr. Heidi Overton to lead the FDA, drawing scrutiny from women’s health groups over potential impacts to abortion-medication access. Industry Watch: Robots are increasingly asking for tips at U.S. bars and airports, adding fuel to the ongoing backlash against tipping culture. Community & Food Access: Nonprofits and mutual aid groups are stepping up as families face disruption and fear tied to ICE enforcement, including reduced access to food and schooling.

Food Safety Watch: CDC says a multistate salmonella outbreak tied to imported jalapeños has grown to 431 cases across 32 states; Chipotle and Qdoba removed the ingredient, and FDA says there’s no ongoing risk. Produce Recall: FDA upgraded Publix frozen blueberries to Class 1 over E. coli concerns, expanding affected packages and states. Another Recall: B. Braun issued a voluntary recall of Excel Lactated Ringers Injection (particulate matter) distributed nationally. Outbreak Context: Cyclosporiasis linked to Taylor Farms continues to reshape leafy-greens buying habits after the outbreak tied to processed lettuce. Retail & Grocery: Walmart reported Q2 U.S. grocery strength, with ecommerce and transactions driving sales growth. Industry Moves: Denny’s is expanding its catering service to more stores to boost traffic. Policy & Trade: USDA plans to reopen the southern border to livestock imports Aug. 24 after New World screwworm controls. Restaurant Culture: Pizza Hut Classic’s retro dine-in format is drawing big crowds, including a Florida location where dine-in sales reportedly doubled. International Supply: Black Sea wheat disruptions are pushing Asian buyers to consider pricier alternatives.

FDA Recall Alert: Publix recalled frozen organic blueberries and mixed berries in eight states after the FDA upgraded the issue to a Class I warning for potential E. coli contamination, urging shoppers to discard or return affected 10-oz packs. Food Safety & Supply Chain: U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists at Nogales intercepted prohibited handmade animal-based costumes containing chicken feet and unknown bird feathers, denying entry over foreign animal disease risk. Retail & Community Food: Mustard Seed Market’s 5th annual Attic Sale (Aug. 21-29) will run with up to 50% off plants and decor, with proceeds benefiting a local food bank. Industry & Distribution: Constellation Brands New Zealand Australia named EuroVintage as exclusive distributor for its wine and spirits portfolio in New Zealand starting Sept. 1, 2026. Health Tech (Food-Adjacent): FDA authorized Aletta, a standalone blood draw robot for adult outpatient use, under phlebotomist supervision. Travel Dining: Norwegian Cruise Line previewed new dining upgrades for Norwegian Aura, including its first Indian-dedicated specialty restaurant.

FDA Leadership Shake-Up: President Trump nominated Dr. Heidi Overton, a White House domestic policy aide and physician, to lead the FDA, after Marty Makary’s May resignation; confirmation by the Senate is next. Food Safety Watch: The FDA upgraded Midwest Poultry Services’ Salmonella egg recall to Class I, covering nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs (about 19M eggs) distributed to foodservice and retail in several states; Alabama isn’t listed. Regulatory Policy: FDA proposed a mandatory GRAS notice framework, shifting GRAS from mostly voluntary review to required notification for many food substances. Consumer Impact: A Cyclospora outbreak is already changing shopping habits—over 6.5M U.S. households stopped buying salad mixes and kits in the latest month, with many planning to return once the outbreak ends. Retail & Grocery Moves: Target is expanding grocery and fresh offerings, with Q2 snacks sales up 15% post-transition and foot traffic boosted during Amazon’s Prime Day. New Menu/Branding: Smoothie King rolled out a GLP-1 support pumpkin smoothie (23g+ protein, 0g added sugar) for a limited time. Franchising: Franchise Expo Dallas returns Sept. 18-19 in Irving, Texas, with Dallas-Fort Worth seeing top franchise interest.

FDA Leadership Shake-Up: President Trump has tapped White House domestic-policy adviser Heidi Overton to run the FDA after months of turmoil and senior exits, a move that could reshape how the agency handles health and food-related oversight. Dietary Guidelines Lawsuit: A physician group sued the government, alleging the Dietary Guidelines process was improperly influenced by industry-backed “secret panel” work tied to meat and dairy interests. Food Safety Watch: The CDC reported more than 1,800 additional Cyclospora patients in the past week, bringing 2026 totals to 15,716 confirmed cases, with widespread states affected. Recall Alert: USDA/FSIS announced a recall of 1,626 pounds of ready-to-eat pickled goat and chicken products sold nationwide because they lacked required USDA inspections. Trade & Groceries: Trump paused 50% tariffs on Canadian goods hours before they were set to hit, with food items including dairy and liquor among the potentially affected categories. Local Food Business: A Hispanic grocery and restaurant group opened a new Tres Hermanos mini market in Bedford, expanding butcher services and Mexican food options for lunchtime crowds. Tech Delivery: Uber is partnering with Zipline to expand drone deliveries for Uber Eats to more U.S. cities, aiming for one million deliveries per day by 2029.

Food Safety Recalls: FDA flagged undeclared soy in Nutrient Foods’ Protein Cereal Cocoa Crunch, triggering a recall in 10 states, and Walmart’s Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits were recalled in Ohio and 28 other states over possible listeria contamination. Public Health Watch: Massachusetts was added to a growing cyclospora outbreak list with 147 reported cases so far, while researchers also linked sugary drinks to higher gastric cancer risk. Nutrition Research: A new study found adults may lose weight without eating less by choosing lower-energy-density foods, and another analysis tied later meal timing to higher mortality risk. Industry & Trade: U.S. Meat Export Federation and Colorado State University hosted a symposium to help Latin American buyers develop new processed beef and pork products, and Cirkla announced a $5M Georgia molded-fiber packaging plant expansion. Business Moves: HelloFresh will close its Swedesboro, N.J., distribution center, cutting 374 jobs.

Packaging & Supply Chain: Cirkla is investing $5M in a new Gainesville, Georgia molded-fiber meat packaging plant, aiming to add about 140 jobs and expand domestic capacity for protein brands and grocery retailers. Food Safety Oversight: Karnataka, India is rolling out QR codes for consumers to report food and drug safety violations as inspections intensify; officials say thousands of outlets were checked and corrective actions issued. Regulatory Watch (U.S. Food Law): The FDA has proposed ending the option for companies to use GRAS substances without notifying the agency first, with comments due in early December 2026. Food Industry & Trade: Schumer urged USDA to buy Concord grape juice for nutrition programs after Refresco canceled grape contracts, pushing to stabilize Western New York growers. Consumer & Retail: OpenTable released its latest El Paso reservation rankings, with Casa Pantera and Cafe Central among the most-booked spots. Food-Related Legal Update: The Ninth Circuit narrowed Jack Daniel’s “Bad Spaniels” dilution claims, requiring proof of harm tied to the specific accused product.

Pediatric Nutrition Care: My Diabetes Tutor launched Pediatric Nutrition Steps℠, a virtual Medical Nutrition Therapy program for kids dealing with overweight, obesity, prediabetes and metabolic risk, delivered by Registered Dietitians. SNAP Restrictions: South Carolina’s Healthy Food SC pilot will bar SNAP purchases of candy, energy drinks, soft drinks and other sweetened beverages starting Aug. 31, while diet/zero-sugar drinks stay allowed. Food Safety Recall: Walmart shoppers may be affected by a recall of 3,000+ Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits (possible listeria); the kits were sold in 29 states, including Illinois, with an Aug. 22, 2026 expiration. Health Research: A new U.S. study links daily sugar-sweetened drinks to a 2.45x higher risk of gastric cancer, while artificially sweetened beverages showed no similar increase. Retail/Convenience: DoorDash added digital video game purchases to its app, bundling game-night essentials like snacks and drinks. Local Food Access: Franklin County, Alabama is hosting a free pet wellness clinic offering pet food, vaccines and exams.

North America Expansion: CJ Group set a goal of $8.47B (12T won) in annual North America sales by 2028, aiming to connect K-culture to “K-lifestyle” experiences after years of growth driven by food, entertainment and retail. Food Assistance: Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District will offer free meals to all students for 2026-2027 at listed elementary, middle and high school sites. Food Safety & Inspections: FDA inspection updates show mixed results across U.S. food-related facilities, including a “No Action Indicated” outcome for American National Red Cross and “should not take any action” for New England Marine Atlanta, LLC, while other local inspection reports cite specific cleaning and temperature issues. Retail/Restaurant Shakeups: Moe’s Southwest Grill parent Quality Fresca filed for Chapter 11 and has closed additional Florida locations, adding to earlier closures. Consumer/Convenience Buzz: Chipotle is running another $1M giveaway in free food via BOGOs. Product & Beverage Notes: Coca-Cola is doubling down on China localization with prebiotic drinks and new flavors tied to gut-health demand.

FDA Oversight: FDA inspections found issues at Synchpack Inc. (Maple Grove) tied to quality control and incomplete batch production records, while Sasta Bazaar, Inc. (Plainfield) was told to take voluntary action for managing operations. Food Safety Alerts: Oma’s Pride recalled 639 bags of frozen raw dog food across 11 states due to possible salmonella contamination. Retail/Consumer Promotions: Chipotle’s “Chipotle IQ” returns Aug. 18-20 with $1M+ in prizes, including BOGO entrées, free Cilantro Lime Sauce, and free Queso Blanco for Rewards members. Food Assistance Politics: Wisconsin lawmakers advanced FoodShare-related bills—AB1027 on sharing FoodShare data with USDA and AB180 seeking a waiver to restrict candy and soft drinks purchases—while votes split along party lines. Global Trade & Food Supply: Colombia’s president asked Trump to temporarily suspend tariffs after a deadly earthquake, citing pressure on businesses and recovery needs. Industry Restructuring: Rebel Creamery filed for Chapter 11 after losing a packaging dispute to Van Leeuwen.

Food Safety Recall: Kettle Cuisine is recalling 3,240 Walmart-only Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits after routine testing flagged possible Listeria monocytogenes; no illnesses reported. Inflation & Groceries: New CPI coverage shows July inflation at 3.4% and notes eating out remains pricier, keeping pressure on household food budgets. Food Insecurity: A feature highlights how food insecurity hits college students hard, with many unsure when their next meal will come. Food Assistance Politics: Rep. Grace Meng calls out SNAP cuts as grocery prices rise, arguing Congress should strengthen benefits. Health & Diet: Cancer doctor Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel promotes a “bare minimum” food plan—fermented foods, no soda, fewer ultra-processed snacks, and more high-quality protein/fiber. Retail & Value: Chili’s posts strong same-store sales, while McDonald’s faces value-menu execution issues; separate coverage also compares Costco vs. Sam’s Club staples on price. Local Food Systems: Westport’s Meatworks opens to the public, showing how USDA-inspected processing helps small and midsize farms.

Food Safety: The FDA has upgraded a salmonella egg recall affecting about 19 million eggs to its most serious Class I level, after nearly 100 illnesses and 26 hospitalizations, with no confirmed deaths yet. Food Safety: The FDA also issued its most serious recall for ventilator breathing circuits after reports of four serious injuries, warning that a malfunction could restrict gas flow and lead to low oxygen and organ failure. Produce Watch: Cyclospora concerns are still evolving: officials say implicated iceberg lettuce has been removed, but multiple outbreak investigations remain open with no named food source for some clusters. Retail & Consumer: Costco has brought back a Kirkland Signature semi-sweet chocolate chips item that disappeared from warehouses in July 2024. Dining Costs: Colorado’s minimum wage will rise in 2027, reviving debate over restaurant labor costs and tipped-worker pay. Coffee Business: Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol is doubling down on service as the company tries to reverse years of missteps.

Food Safety Recalls: FDA upgraded a salmonella egg recall to the highest-risk Class I, covering about 1.59 million eggs sold under multiple brands across several states, with no illnesses reported so far. Listeria Alerts: Kettle Cuisine recalled 3,240 packs of Walmart tomato bisque soup kits in 29 states after presumptive Listeria findings; no confirmed illnesses yet. Cyclospora Watch: Hawaii DOH confirmed a fifth cyclosporiasis case in a military member after travel, with public risk still considered low. Public Health Policy: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former FDA chief David Kessler are pushing to revoke GRAS treatment tied to ultra-processed foods, citing new data that ultra-processed items make up 55% of adult calories and nearly 62% for youth. Food Insecurity: Feeding America says 2.2 million meals are missing in New York’s Franklin and Essex counties, while UN agencies warn South Sudan refugees could lose food aid within weeks without funding. Community Food Support: Idaho Foodbank launched its Back-to-School campaign to boost backpack and school pantry programs for food-insecure kids.