CDFA Finalizes Proposition 12 Regulations—What Lies Ahead?

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has finalized the Proposition 12 implementation rules, which can be found here. The finalized regulations are similar to the second modified text, which was released in June of this year. 

According to an FAQ on CDFA's website, Proposition 12 is a "ballot initiative passed in 2018 by California voters that prohibits confining farm animals (egg-laying hens, veal calves and breeding pigs) in a cruel manner and prohibits the sale of products (eggs, veal meat and pork meat) from farm animals confined in a cruel manner into California commerce."

The law mandates minimum housing space requirements for breeding pigs, veal calves, and egg-laying hens and was originally set to begin on January 1, 2022. However, a ruling earlier this year delayed Proposition 12 for 180 days after the final rules went into effect...

Future Meat Technologies Appoints Nicole Johnson-Hoffman as New Chief Executive Officer

Future Meat Technologies (Future Meat), an industry-leading company developing innovative technology to produce cultivated meat, announced today it has appointed Nicole Johnson-Hoffman as Chief Executive Officer. Johnson-Hoffman brings more than 25 years of experience across the agriculture, food manufacturing, food service, and meat production industries. She assumes day-to-day leadership of the company and will also join Future Meat's Board of Directors.

"It's an honor to serve as the CEO of Future Meat Technologies," said Johnson-Hoffman. "Not only has the company made meaningful..."

Meat Institute, FMI Announce 2022 Leaders of Tomorrow Program Winners

The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) and FMI – The Food Industry Association announced 10 winners for the 2022 Leaders of Tomorrow Program.

The winners are: Britt Johnson, Tyson Foods, Inc.; Camila Paez, Kayem Foods, Inc.; Devin Kulla, Strauss Brands, LLC; Edward Moore, Sealed Air; Elizabeth Hill, Cargill; Griffin Jobe, Teys USA; Katie Smith, Seaboard Foods; Mark Saylor, Farmer Focus (Shenandoah Valley Organic); Rebecca Scholes, Clemens Food Group; and Sarah Havala, Cleveland Research Company.

“These 10 Leaders of Tomorrow represent some of the best and brightest this industry has to..."

USMEF Conference Focuses on Booming Demand, Supply-Side Challenges

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Strategic Planning Conference and Board of Directors Meeting got underway Nov. 10 in Carlsbad, Calif. USMEF Chair Pat Binger, who heads international sales for Cargill Protein North America, welcomed members from across the nation – including farmers, ranchers, processors, exporters and traders – to the organization’s first in-person meeting since 2019.

Binger previewed the conference agenda by noting that attendees will learn exciting details about booming demand for U.S. red meat in both established and emerging markets, but cautioned that the U.S. industry faces significant production...