Meat+Poultry

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Human Foods Program went into effect Oct. 1. The program is designed to protect and promote public health through science-based approaches to prevent foodborne illness, reduce diet-related chronic diseases and ensure the safety of chemicals in food. https://ow.ly/Hayb50TEB5E

FDA Human Foods Program officially begins The program aims to prevent foodborne illness, reduce chronic diseases and ensure the safety of chemicals.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service published a new report about the National School Lunch Program, which provides tens of millions of students with meals each year. https://ow.ly/hAAy50TEAOm

USDA reports on status of National School Lunch Program The report reflects trends in participation and costs before, during and after the pandemic.

McDonald's is adding a chicken Big Mac to US menus, a continuation of the company’s efforts to add chicken-based items to its menu. https://ow.ly/25l450TEACi

McDonald’s launches chicken Big Mac in the US The addition expands the company’s line of chicken items.

The CDC confirmed two new human cases of H5N1 in California — the first time the state has reported the disease in people — after exposure to infected dairy cows.

Two new human cases of H5N1 mark the first in California The positive cases occurred in workers exposed to infected dairy cattle.

Boar's Head announced that food safety expert Frank Yiannas, MPH, has been appointed chief food safety advisor for the company on an interim basis.

Frank Yiannas appointed to leadership position at Boar’s Head He will serve as chief food safety advisor on an interim basis.

The International Longshoremen’s Association and the US Maritime Alliance reached a tentative agreement, effective immediately, that will put an end to the labor strike plugging up the East and Gulf Coast ports.

East, Gulf Coast ports reopen with tentative labor strike agreement ILA and USMX will extend their contract through January 2025.

The state of Ohio is investing $14 million in the expansion of local meat processing through the fourth round of the Ohio Meat Processing Program.

https://ow.ly/fVvE50TEe8H

Ohio allots $14 million to meat processors in fourth round of funding Over 50 companies will receive grants.

Despite a plant disruption at its Hebrew National hot dog production site and top-line decreases across all business segments, Conagra Brands swung to a profit in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 after closing out the prior fiscal year with a fourth-quarter net loss.

Conagra takes a hit from hot dog plant disruption in Q1 The Hebrew National facility had to pause production in the thick of grilling season.

Top 10 📰 Take a look at the top industry-related stories from last month, including updates from Chomps, Tyson Foods, Cargill and more.

September's Top 10 stories Take a look at the top stories from last month.

A group of Denver Democrats endorsed a "no" position on the city’s proposed slaughterhouse ban that would prohibit the construction and operation of slaughterhouses in the city bounds.

Denver Democrats come out against proposed slaughterhouse ban The party’s Central Committee overwhelmingly voted “no” against the initiative.

The Maschhoffs, a family-run swine operation, opened up grant applications for its new community outreach initiative designed to strengthen connections between the company and its local community, known as The Maschhoffs Impact.

The Maschhoffs opens grant applications for new outreach program The Maschhoffs Impact will review applications quarterly.

Expansion Announcement 📢 Thrushwood Farms Quality Meats, a subsidiary of Western Smokehouse Partners, plans to expand the company’s production capabilities, creating 150-180 manufacturing positions and generating $50 million in investment.

Western Smokehouse set to expand Illinois facility Thrushwood Farms, a company subsidiary, has been in the community since 1978.

Declining farm income expectations pushed the Purdue University/CME Ag Economy Barometer in September to its lowest level since March 2016 that reflected an economic downturn.

Weak commodity prices, high input costs add to producer challenges Ag economy barometer at lowest point since March 2016.

With more than 45,000 dockworkers at East and Gulf Coast ports beginning their strike, the American Feed Industry Association is warning of long-term economic consequences, potential animal food supply issues and escalating costs for farmers and pet owners.

AFIA provides insights into port strike Association warns of supply shortages for animal food industry.

While the number of women in agriculture and agribusiness has climbed in recent years, including at the highest levels of companies and organizations, a panel of female industry executives told delegates at the Women in Agribusiness Summit in Denver, there’s more work to be done.

Women in Agribusiness Summit details important initiatives Nearly 1,000 attended the three-day event in Denver.

Meatable appointed Aris de Rijke as the company’s new chief technology officer to help bring the company's cultivated meat products to market.

Meatable names new chief technology officer Aris de Rijke previously worked for GFBiochemicals.

New update from Rachael Oatman 📰 Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird led 21 other states to support an appeal against a district court ruling that upheld Massachusetts’ Question 3 (Q3) law.

Nearly two dozen states push back against Massachusetts’ Q3 Iowa attorney general led 21 states to support an appeal of the pork restrictions.

A new bill was introduced in Congress that seeks to use existing conservation funds to support producers’ voluntary transition from concentrated animal feeding operations to more climate-friendly production systems.

Proposed bill would fund transition out of CAFOs The Industrial Agriculture Conversion Act would create a grant program within the USDA.

Air dried meat snack company Stryve Biltong launched High Steaks, a pet treat brand designed to provide high-protein, human-grade treats.

Stryve Foods enters pet food category The air-dried meat snack company introduced High Steaks pet treats.

Smithfield Culinary, the foodservice focused subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, released its latest creation, the Smithfield Select Bacon, a fully cooked ready-to-eat option.

Smithfield shows off fully cooked bacon product The bacon is designed to help foodservice operators.

For the first time since 1977, dockworkers from Maine to Texas went on strike on after the current labor contract expired. The shutdown could have a significant impact on the meat industry, warned The U.S. Meat Export Federation.

Port strike begins for East and Gulf Coast workers USMEF warns of the significant industry impact if the two sides cannot make a deal soon.

Governor Brian Kemp said 107 poultry facilities and houses in the state of Georgia have been damaged or totally destroyed by Hurricane Helene.

Georgia state officials begin Hurricane Helene assessments Poultry plants from across the southeast provided recent updates.

Most airlines have stated they want to broadly incorporate sustainable aviation fuel into their programs, but there are two familiar and traditional hurdles hindering this industry’s transition to more innovative and cleaner energy — supply and cost.

Sustainable aviation fuel still working through supply, cost challenges Industry leaders identify hurdles grounding ‘miracle fuel’ for now.

Twenty-eight members of the House of Representatives wrote to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, asking it to revise the recent ranking of waste management technologies to once again include rendering of agricultural waste.

NPPC backs congressional move to highlight rendering on Wasted Food Scale Representatives asked the EPA to revise the ranking of waste management technologies.

A new partnership is aiming to improve the manufacturing and scaling processes of cultivated meat. Believer Meats and GEA will co-develop technologies and processes that will help improve unit economics and sustainability of cultivated meat production.

Believer Meats working with GEA on cultivated meat The partnership will begin with cultivated chicken and later other products.