USDA Launches Effort to Strengthen Substantiation of Animal-Raising Claims

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that it is implementing a multi-step effort aimed at strengthening the substantiation of animal-raising claims. This action builds on the significant work USDA has already undertaken to protect consumers from false and misleading labels and to implement President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American economy.

“Consumers should be able to trust that the label claims they see on products bearing the USDA mark of inspection are truthful and accurate,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “USDA is taking... 

Cargill to Sell China Poultry Unit to Private Equity Firm DCP Capital

U.S. agribusiness giant Cargill said it is selling its poultry business in China to private equity firm DCP Capital, exiting a Chinese meat market that has become increasingly challenging, especially for foreign players.

The sale of the unit known as Cargill Protein China is subject to regulatory approvals but is expected to close this year, Cargill said in a statement on Wednesday.

It did not give a transaction price and DCP declined to comment on the deal.

China is the world's No.2 poultry producer after the...

Handsome Brook Farms Partners with Soil Carbon Initiative to Implement Regenerative Agriculture 

Handsome Brook Farms, a leading national pasture-raised organic egg producer, is partnering with Green America’s Soil Carbon Initiative (SCI) to accelerate regenerative agriculture on layer hen farms across the country.

Launched in 2022, SCI’s Go-To-Market Pilot Program supports and incentivizes farmers to adopt regenerative practices at increasing scale. Regenerative agriculture refers to farming and grazing practices that, among other benefits, build soil health, increase biodiversity above and below ground, and reduce agricultural nutrient runoff.

Handsome Brook Farms joined Soil Carbon Initiative’s Pilot Program as a...

PERDUE Launches Custom, Summer Ale Expertly Crafted to Make the Perfect Beer Can Chicken

Just in time for summer grilling season, PERDUE®, the number-one brand of fresh chicken in the U.S., is making chicken the star of the grill with the launch of PERDUE® Beer Can Chicken Beer, a honey double-citrus summer ale brewed with classic grilled chicken seasonings like rosemary, thyme, and pink peppercorn to help backyard grillers make the perfect beer can chicken.

Created in partnership with Torch & Crown Brewing Company, PERDUE®’s custom Beer Can Chicken Beer is tangy, juicy, and has...

Drake’s “Dave’s Hot Chicken” Named America’s Fastest-Growing Restaurant Chain

In May 2017, four friends scraped together $900 to purchase a fryer, and served up the best-tasting hot chicken tenders around to those willing to venture to their East Hollywood parking lot pop-up. The proprietary hot chicken recipe was so good that, in 2021, Drake took notice, and became a significant investor in the concept, Dave’s Hot Chicken. The company recently celebrated its 6th anniversary by hosting a pop-up in the East Hollywood parking lot where it all began, passing out free food to customers both... 

Wingstop Achieves 2,000th Restaurant Milestone, Continuing Accelerated Pace of Development

Wingstop today announced the opening of its 2,000th global restaurant in Pittsburgh, PA. This milestone comes on the heels of continued, industry-leading momentum, having delivered 20% same-store sales growth in the first quarter of 2023 and achieving its 19th consecutive year of same-store sales growth in 2022. With significant whitespace ahead, this development milestone is one step in Wingstop's journey to Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand status, with a goal of over 7,000 restaurants globally.

"I'm proud of our team and Wingstop brand partners for driving Wingstop's...

Tyson Foods Shares Shed Nearly 16% Following Q2 Loss

U.S. stocks closed mixed on Monday and are lower so far Tuesday as traders continue to digest the recent developments from major corporations including Tyson Foods and S&P 500 company Catalent, Inc. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 0.2% lower yesterday while the S&P 500 was fractionally higher. The Nasdaq Composite gained 0.08% on Monday but has since turned weaker in early trading action Tuesday. The indices rounded out last week with gains following the latest U.S. jobs data, which showed 253,000 jobs added in April.

Shares of Catalent, Inc. lost over... 

New York State Announces New Grant Opportunity to Expand Meat Processing Industry

New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball and the Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation (HVADC) today announced a grant opportunity totaling $5 million for projects to expand existing or establish new meat processing facilities. The Meat Processing Expansion Grant Program aims to address the nationwide shortage of affordable meat available to consumers, increase capacity of New York’s processing facilities, and support agribusinesses.

Commissioner Ball said, “One of the biggest lessons we learned from the...

NW Natural Begins Producing RNG at Second Tyson Foods Facility

NW Natural, a subsidiary of NW Natural Holding Company, and BioCarbN, a developer and operator of environmental infrastructure projects, began production at a second renewable natural gas (RNG) facility, as part of an innovative project partnership with Tyson Foods.

The facility is located in Dakota City, Nebraska, with NW Natural investing approximately $12 million to convert methane captured from the facility’s operations into RNG to heat homes and businesses. The first project began at Tyson’s Lexington, Nebraska operations in January 2022...

Wingstop Inc. Reports Fiscal Quarter 2023 Fiancial Results

Wingstop Inc. today announced financial results for the fiscal first quarter ended April 1, 2023.

Highlights for the fiscal first quarter 2023 compared to the fiscal first quarter 2022:

• System-wide sales increased 30.4% to $821.6 million
• 37 net new openings in the fiscal first quarter 2023, resulting in an increase in unit count of 11.4%
• Domestic same store sales increased 20.1%
• Domestic restaurant AUVs increased to $1.7 million
• Digital sales increased to 65.2%
• Total revenue increased 42.7% to $108.7 million
• Net income increased 80.6% to... 

Butterball Launches Bun-Length Hearty Turkey Sausage Links

Butterball, LLC has launched Butterball Hearty Turkey Sausage, an innovative new product in the protein space perfect for every season, every day. The butcher-style turkey sausage link is bun-length and offers the same taste and texture of its pork counterparts, but with 70% less fat than pork and beef smoked sausage*. It is available in two flavors: Old World Smoked and Polish Style.

"The fully cooked smoked sausage category needs some sizzle, and we are going to deliver," said Michelle Lieszkovszky, leader of new consumer solutions at Butterball...

JBS USA Announces New CEO

JBS USA today announced that current Chief Executive Officer Tim Schellpeper has made the decision to retire from his role effective May 1, 2023.

Wesley Batista Filho, with more than 13 years of experience in the company, will assume the role of CEO of JBS USA.

“We thank Tim for all of his contributions to the success of JBS USA during his tenure,” said Gilberto Tomazoni, JBS Global CEO. “Tim came out of retirement to join our team, producing record results as the head of our Fed Beef business...

GHSW, LLC. Issues Allergy Alert for Undeclared Sesame in Turkey and Havarti Sandwich

GHSW, LLC. is voluntarily recalling 8.55 oz packages of Turkey and Havarti Sandwiches due to undeclared sesame in bread. People who are allergic to sesame run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

The recalled product was shipped to Dillon stores in Kansas, Baker’s stores in Nebraska, Gerbes stores in Missouri, as well as Kroger stores in Texas and Louisiana from 01/01/23 to 4/24/23.

The recalled Turkey and Havarti Sandwiches are packaged in 8.55 oz clear...

Tyson Foods to Eliminate 10 % of Corporate Jobs 

Tyson Foods Inc will eliminate about 10% of corporate jobs and 15% of senior leadership roles, Chief Executive Donnie King told employees on Wednesday. The layoffs are the latest cost-cutting move for the biggest U.S. meat company by sales as it grapples with declining profits and struggles to improve results in its iconic chicken business. Discussions with most affected employees are slated to take place this week, King said in a memo to employees seen by Reuters.

"We will drive efficiency by focusing on fewer initiatives with greater intensity...

Alef Sausage Inc. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Sausage Products

Alef Sausage Inc., a Mundelein, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 61,574 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) halal meat and poultry sausage products due to misbranding and possible temperature abuse, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products were not labeled with a handling statement indicating that they should be kept refrigerated, which could lead to temperature abuse of the products.

The RTE meat and poultry sausage products were produced and distributed into commerce on various dates from...

Abbyland Foods Recalls Frozen Turkey Sausage Patties Products 

Abbyland Foods, an Abbotsford, Wis., establishment, is recalling approximately 11,800 pounds of frozen turkey meatballs that are labeled as turkey sausage patties due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains soy, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.

The frozen, fully cooked turkey meatball products labeled as turkey sausage patties were produced March 3, 2023. The following products are subject to recall [view labels]:

5-lb. unlabeled bags in 10-pound...

Inaugural Year of PEAK Brings Together Poultry Industry

The inaugural year of PEAK 2023 brought together the North American poultry industry in Minneapolis for a successful trade show, education program, and a high energy networking event – all with exciting new elements to culminate the rebranding of this long-time convention. PEAK 2023 featured nearly 2,800 participants from 35 states and 16 international countries, a large uptick from the previous year. The show was rebranded after 51 years known as the Midwest Poultry Federation (MPF) Convention.
“As an organization, we were incredibly excited to debut our new name and branding...

Wayne-Sanderson Farms Identifies New Senior Leadership

The nation’s third largest poultry producer, Wayne-Sanderson Farms, has announced changes to its senior leadership team, including the retirements of Bryan Miller, senior vice president of quality assurance and food safety, and David Malfitano, chief human resources officer, after over 35 years of collective service to the company. In April, Miller was succeeded by Dr. Juan “Juanfra” DeVillena, while Malfitano was succeeded by Pamela Roach.

Since joining the company in 2004, DeVillena has served in various roles with increasing levels of responsibility at the...

New Consumer Survey Signals Mobile Ordering and Payment in Bars and Restaurants is Here to Stay

As the hospitality industry returns to pre-pandemic norms, Union—a data-driven hospitality engagement platform—has released a new third-party survey detailing how consumers are adapting to new technology within bars and restaurants, such as QR codes and mobile payment apps. Some of the key findings from the survey include:

Consumers have come around to QR codes, but wish they could order and pay through their mobile devices. When asked how they feel about...

Researchers Evaluate a Unique Lighting System to Assess Welfare and Skeletal Quality of Laying Hens

USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation announce the completion of a funded research project at Purdue University in which researchers evaluated a unique lighting system to assess welfare and skeletal quality of laying hens. The research was made possible in part by an endowing Foundation gift from MPS Egg Farms and proceeds from the International Poultry Expo, part of the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). The research is part of the Association’s comprehensive research program encompassing all phases of poultry and egg production...

Wingstop Sets Sights on 20th Consecutive Year of Same-Store Sales Growth with New Agency of Record

Wingstop Restaurants Inc.– the award-winning flavor brand with nearly 2,000 restaurants globally – is excited to announce the appointment of 72andSunny as its new creative agency of record. The brand plans to continue scaling awareness through its new partnership by building upon existing momentum and winning more occasions with fresh, compelling creative.

"This partnership marks the next chapter of Wingstop's growth story and I believe 72andSunny is the agency that will help us execute our strategy...

Fiesta Restaurant Group , Inc . Appoints Dirk Montgomery As President And Chief Executive Officer

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., parent company of the Pollo Tropical® brand, today announced that the Board of Directors has appointed Dirk Montgomery as its permanent President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 13, 2023. Mr. Montgomery has served as Interim Chief Executive Officer since December 8, 2022 and previously served as Chief Financial Officer since September 9, 2019. “The Board and I are confident that Dirk is ideally suited to serve as our President and CEO,” said Stacey Rauch, who chairs the...

Global Animal Protein Outlook 2023: Deciding How to Grow Amid Challenges and Opportunities

Even though global animal protein production is expected to grow modestly in 2023, it will be another year of change for the sector. The industry will face high costs along the full supply chain, swings in consumption, and other areas of uncertainty for producers, such as elevated disease pressure and regulatory and market-driven changes. As a result, margins will be squeezed as buyers push back on higher production costs. But opportunities still exist, although they will be more restricted.

Global summary

Listeria Outbreak Linked to Deli Meat and Cheese

Deli meats (cold cuts, lunch meats, hot dogs, and pâtés sold at the deli) and cheeses are known sources of Listeria illnesses. This is because Listeria can easily spread among food on deli countertops, deli slicers, surfaces, and hands. Listeria is a hardy germ that can be difficult to fully remove once it is in the deli. It can survive and grow at cold temperatures in the refrigerator.

U.S. Poultry Industry Provides 2 Million Jobs and $556 Billion in Economic Impact

The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation and United Egg Producers have released an updated economic impact study that highlights the positive impact the poultry industry has on jobs, wages, and federal and state revenue in the United States. A dynamic and integral part of the national economy, the U.S. poultry industry provides 2,012,269 jobs, $125.6 billion in wages, $555.9 billion in economic activity and $33.7 billion in government revenue.

The study breaks down poultry into three subcategories...

NCC Delivers Comments on FSIS Proposed Salmonella Framework

The National Chicken Council (NCC) today delivered public comments at a U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) virtual meeting about the agency’s recently announced regulatory framework for Salmonella in poultry products. NCC’s comments addressed each of the three components the agency said it is currently considering as part of a new strategy.

Food safety is a top priority for the broiler industry, and NCC supports changes in food safety regulations that are based on sound science, robust data, and are demonstrated to positively impact public health...

Wayne-Sanderson Farms Senior Vice President Inducted into Mississippi Poultry Hall of Fame

Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ senior vice president and general manager of retail, Bob “Pic” Billingsley, has been inducted into the Mississippi Poultry Association’s Hall of Fame during the association’s 85th annual convention. With this induction, Billingsley becomes the 36th member of the Mississippi Poultry Hall of Fame, which is comprised of individuals who contributed to the growth of the poultry industry as the state’s largest agricultural commodity.

“It is an honor to be inducted into the hall of fame where many accomplished industry leaders have been recognized for..."

Avian Influenza: Unprecedented Number of Summer Cases in Europe

An unprecedented number of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus detections were reported in wild and domestic birds from June to September in Europe, according to the latest overview by EFSA, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and the EU reference laboratory. In previous years, no cases or only a few cases were detected during the summer period. The overall 2021–2022 HPAI season has produced the largest epidemic so far observed in Europe.

Between 11 June and 9 September 2022, 788 HPAI virus detections were reported in 16...