Food News

Family Roots Fuel a Cherished Special (Image Credits: Pixabay) Ojai, California – Rory’s Place transforms the humble fish and chips into a weekly highlight, drawing diners with its commitment to fresh, local ingredients and eco-friendly practices.[1][2] Family Roots Fuel a Cherished Special Sisters Maeve and Rory McAuliffe draw inspiration from childhood family trips to Cape Cod, where fish and chips became a beloved ritual. They now offer the dish exclusively on Wednesdays at their Ojai restaurant. Head chef Maeve oversees the preparation, ensuring every element reflects their shared heritage. The special sells out quickly, underscoring its popularity among locals and … Read more

Strategic Move to Fuel Frozen Foods Growth (Image Credits: Pixabay) Fayetteville, Ark. – Conagra Brands announced a multi-year $220 million investment to expand its manufacturing facility here, focusing on a major increase in chicken production capacity.[1][2] Strategic Move to Fuel Frozen Foods Growth The expansion comes at a pivotal time for Conagra’s frozen foods division, which relies heavily on efficient supply chains to meet consumer demand. Company leaders highlighted the project as a key step in bolstering innovation within their protein offerings. The Fayetteville plant already stands as a production powerhouse, churning out ready-to-eat meals for several popular brands. Craig … Read more

Family Business Reaches Across the Atlantic (Image Credits: Unsplash) Covington, Kentucky – MarfoFMA, a division of the century-old French agri-food company Fleury Michon Group, revealed plans this week to launch its inaugural U.S. production plant in the city, marking a significant step in its North American growth.[1][2] Family Business Reaches Across the Atlantic Fleury Michon Group, founded in 1905, built its reputation in prepared meats and meals before venturing into airline catering. The company acquired Quebec-based FMA in 2006 and Dutch firm Marfo in 2019, merging them into MarfoFMA to strengthen its position in Europe and North America. This latest … Read more

Shares Trigger Nasdaq’s Minimum Bid Rule Violation (Image Credits: Unsplash) Beyond Meat disclosed a critical notification from Nasdaq that places its exchange listing in jeopardy.[1][2] Shares Trigger Nasdaq’s Minimum Bid Rule Violation The California-based plant-based protein company revealed in an SEC filing on March 6 that it received a deficiency letter from Nasdaq’s Listing Qualifications Department on March 4.[1] This action followed 30 consecutive business days during which Beyond Meat’s shares traded below the $1 minimum bid price required under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1).[3] Trading under the BYND ticker continues uninterrupted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market for the time … Read more

Pivotal Spin-Off Reshapes Company Focus (Image Credits: Unsplash) Maple Leaf Foods highlighted its ongoing investment in plant-based meats during a recent earnings call, signaling confidence in the category’s potential even as it streamlines its core operations.[1] Pivotal Spin-Off Reshapes Company Focus The completion of the pork business spin-off marked a major milestone for Maple Leaf Foods. Executives described the move into Canada Packers at the start of the fourth quarter as one of the company’s most transformative portfolio shifts.[1] Maple Leaf retained a 16% stake in the new entity. This separation allowed the company to sharpen its emphasis on poultry, … Read more

Prior Activist Campaigns Set the Stage (Image Credits: Unsplash) Activist investor Starboard Value disclosed a substantial stake in Lamb Weston Holdings Inc. on March 8, 2026, pressing the french-fry giant to sharpen its turnaround strategy.[1][2] Prior Activist Campaigns Set the Stage Lamb Weston first faced shareholder activism in 2024 when Jana Partners criticized management for operational missteps and undervaluation. That pressure prompted board changes last summer and the appointment of Michael Smith as CEO early in 2025. Jana expressed dissatisfaction with the internal promotion but secured influence through a settlement. The company responded by launching a $250 million cost-savings program … Read more

Clusters of Norovirus Illness Grip Communities (Image Credits: Foodsafetynews.com) New Zealand – Authorities reported that norovirus led foodborne illness outbreaks in the latest data, with Campylobacter continuing as the predominant cause of individual infections. Clusters of Norovirus Illness Grip Communities Norovirus accounted for the majority of outbreaks tracked in recent surveillance. Officials identified it in 10 separate incidents that affected 563 people combined.[1] These events highlighted the virus’s ability to spread rapidly through contaminated food or close contact. Food handlers played a key role in transmission during several cases. The pathogen caused widespread vomiting and diarrhea, straining public health resources. … Read more

Environmental Salmonella Hits Black Sheep Egg Company (Image Credits: Foodsafetynews.com) Arkansas and Colorado egg producers received warning letters from the Food and Drug Administration after inspections uncovered serious food safety lapses.[1][2] Environmental Salmonella Hits Black Sheep Egg Company Inspectors visited Black Sheep Egg Company in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, during 2025 and found multiple strains of the bacterium lurking in the facility. Seven different Salmonella serovars turned up in environmental samples from areas near food-contact surfaces, including packing lines, conveyors, floors, drains, and control panels.[1] Specific types included S. I 4,[5],12:i:- and S. Mbandaka. The operation also battled heavy fly infestations, … Read more

Varied Violations Span Multiple Categories (Image Credits: Foodsafetynews.com) Europe – The European Union’s Alert and Cooperation Network documented 189 suspicions of cross-border agri-food fraud in January 2026, drawn from 660 notifications across its systems.[1][2] Varied Violations Span Multiple Categories Authorities classified the suspicions into three main groups. Product tampering accounted for 113 cases, the largest share. Record tampering followed with 36 instances, while other non-compliances made up 40. These figures highlighted a broad spectrum of deceptive practices. Officials retrieved the data from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, Administrative Assistance and Cooperation network, and Agri-Food Fraud Network components. … Read more

Mapping a Vast Sampling Effort (Image Credits: Foodsafetynews.com) California’s Central Coast – A comprehensive five-year investigation has illuminated how foodborne pathogens navigate the environment surrounding the nation’s premier leafy greens hub, informing strategies to safeguard consumers.[1][2] Mapping a Vast Sampling Effort The California Longitudinal Study, launched in 2020 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration alongside the Western Center for Food Safety at UC Davis and the California Department of Food and Agriculture, targeted the Central Coast’s roughly 7,000-square-mile agricultural expanse. Researchers conducted 40 multi-day sampling events from August 2020 through May 2025 across public sites, livestock ranches, produce farms, … Read more