Policy: Page


  • Three USDA inspectors in hard hats and long white jackets pass through an aisle of hanging animal carcasses.
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    Preston Keres. (2018). "20181128-AMS-PJK-3666_TONED" [photograph]. Retrieved from USDA.
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    Plant employees can perform meat inspections, court rules

    The new measure does not interfere with the federal government’s responsibility to ensure food is safe, according to the opinion.

    By Oct. 3, 2022
  • Black Angus cattle can be seen in a green pasture through the slats of a wooden fence.
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    Preston Keres. (2021). "202107122-FPAC-PJK-0386_TONED" [photograph]. Retrieved from USDA.
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    New rule seeks to stop discrimination among meat producers

    USDA said the proposal aims to protect farmers, especially those who belong to vulnerable communities, against retaliation from large processors.

    By Oct. 3, 2022
  • A person in a grocery store putting items in a smart cart. Explore the Trendline
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    Courtesy of Instacart
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Food Dive

    Check out a selection of articles about some of the biggest trends and news — from McCormick’s reformulation strategy to the impact of GLP-1s  — shaping the food industry in 2026.

    By Food Dive staff
  • Farm machines harvesting corn in September, viewed from above
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    Opinion

    How producers are driving a more connected food ecosystem

    Players in the middle of farmers and consumers will need to evaluate their business models to see where they fit, and embrace agility and resilience, writes Ernst & Young’s Bill McClure.

    By Bill McClure • Sept. 30, 2022
  • How Danone will improve consumer nutrition

    The yogurt giant plans to reduce sugar in its products targeted at children, improve the nutrient density of its plant-based drinks and give $22 million to research, improving access and education. 

    By Sept. 29, 2022
  • The produce section of a Save A Lot store
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    Courtesy of Save A Lot
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    ‘Healthy’ gets a new definition from FDA

    The regulated definition looks at how well food items measure up to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, with limits on the amounts of sodium, added sugars and saturated fats they contain.

    By Updated Sept. 28, 2022
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    Smithfield to pay $75M in latest pork antitrust deal

    This settlement, involving at least 17.6 million consumers, follows JBS’ agreement to pay $20 million to purchasers this month.

    By Sept. 28, 2022
  • An image of the White House.
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    Getty Images
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    Food industry makes commitments at White House summit on hunger

    Several companies, from Chobani to Tyson, unveiled plans to improve health and nutrition, including reformulating products and revamping labels. 

    By Updated Sept. 30, 2022
  • Onions from a farm in the Pacific Northwest
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    Pomeroy, Erica. (2013). "On the Road with Mike Taylor" [photograph]. Retrieved from U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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    FDA issues plan to prevent onion outbreaks

    This proposal follows two massive outbreaks that sickened more than 2,100 people, but the recommendations are things that should already be done under current regulations.

    By Sept. 27, 2022
  • President Joe Biden
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    Biden administration releases strategy to end hunger and increase dietary and physical health by 2030

    The policies outlined ahead of the first White House Conference on Food, Nutrition and Health in more than 50 years target improving access to healthy food, labeling changes and connecting healthcare with nutrition.

    By Sept. 27, 2022
  • Walmart Plenty vertical farming
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    Courtesy of Walmart
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    Hydroponic crops qualify for organic certification, appellate court rules

    The ruling affirmed the USDA’s decision that the plants grown without soil are eligible for the designation, potentially ending a protracted legal battle.

    By Updated Sept. 23, 2022
  • Rows of the guayule desert shrub at a farm
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    Courtesy of Bridgestone Americas, Inc.
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    Behind 5 food and beverage sustainability programs receiving USDA funding

    Tyson and Land O’Lakes’ sustainability arm Truterra were among the 70 projects that received grants to facilitate climate-smart agricultural practices.

    By Sept. 21, 2022
  • A person holding a smartphone pushes a shopping cart down a grocery aisle with bottled water on the left and soft drinks on the right.
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    Blanket policies to discourage indulgent foods don’t work, study finds

    Researchers at Georgetown University found obese consumers are more likely to buy sodas and sugary baked goods, while all consumers purchase candy at similar rates.

    By Sept. 19, 2022
  • J.B. Hunt shipping containers are stacked on BNSF trains
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    (Scott Olson/Getty Images) via Getty Images
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    Potential food crisis averted as rail strike deal is reached

    The agriculture industry warned a shutdown would have overwhelmed grain storage facilities and delayed deliveries, dealing a blow to a food sector already reeling from inflation and supply chain challenges.

    By , Sept. 15, 2022
  • Labeling information for three boxes of food lying next to each other, all of which have been made with bioengineered ingredients.
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    Megan Poinski/Food Dive
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    GMO ingredient disclosure online is not enough, court rules

    The judge found technical problems when using a QR code or text message could prevent consumers from getting the information they seek, but denied several other challenges to the federal labeling law. 

    By Sept. 15, 2022
  • Young African American biochemist using microscope while working on scientific research in a laboratory. The view is through the glass.
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    Getty Images
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    How Biden’s biotech executive order helps the food industry

    Bioengineering powers genetically modified items and the animal-free products made through precision fermentation.

    By Sept. 13, 2022
  • Plant-based meat at a Target in Washington, D.C.
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    Catherine Douglas Moran/Food Dive
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    Plant Based Foods Institute will promote the segment’s policy and business aims

    The new nonprofit, a sister organization to the Plant Based Foods Association, will use sourcing agreements, lobbying, research and foodservice to empower “broadscale change.”

    By Sept. 7, 2022
  • Cans of Goya white beans on a shelf
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Goya boycott after CEO’s praise of Trump resulted in higher sales: study

    Net sales jumped 22% two weeks after a social media backlash triggered by Robert Unanue’s comments about the former president, analysis from Cornell researchers found.

    By Samantha Oller • Aug. 30, 2022
  • Farming practices
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    USDA invests up to $300M to expand organic certification

    The funds will be used to help farms make the transition, including through technical assistance and mentorship.

    By Aug. 23, 2022
  • Ben & Jerry's, ice cream, Tony's, chocolate
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    Permission granted by Ben & Jerry's
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    Ben & Jerry’s partners with Tony’s Chocolonely to end modern slavery in chocolate

    The socially conscious companies also are collaborating on new ice cream and candy bars, debuting in the U.S. in January.

    By Aug. 18, 2022
  • Six brown eggs in a paper carton
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    Getty Images
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    Texas COVID-19 egg price gouging lawsuit revived by appellate court

    The case, which accuses Cal-Maine Foods of unlawfully increasing costs to retailers and consumers in spring 2020, now returns to a trial court.

    By Aug. 17, 2022
  • Chicken meat in a grocery store
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    Cheung, Lance. (2011). "110303_CNPP_LSC_0206" [photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    New USDA policy will reject some salmonella-contaminated poultry products

    The federal government will now test for the pathogen in breaded and stuffed raw chicken products, and plans a broader proposal to reduce illnesses from the bacteria in the fall.

    By Aug. 2, 2022
  • Chicken
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    Getty Images
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    Cargill, Sanderson and Wayne Farms to pay $85M to settle DOJ wage suit

    Days after the closing of Cargill and Continental Grain’s purchase of Sanderson Farms, the government accused the poultry processors of conspiring to suppress worker pay.

    By July 26, 2022
  • The sign identifying the FDA headquarters in front of its building in White Oak, Maryland.
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    Sarah Silbiger via Getty Images
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    FDA to review food program structure for potential overhaul

    The U.S. food regulatory system has long been a target of criticism and legislative reform efforts. It has recently come under fire following high-profile failings, including the baby formula recall.

    By July 20, 2022
  • Plant-based section at the Heirloom Market in Philadelphia's Fashion District
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    Courtesy of The Giant Company
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    Why a medical group wants plant-based diets discussed at the White House

    The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine wants the Biden administration to make this eating option a centerpiece of its food policy conference in September.

    By July 19, 2022
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Chicken executives found not guilty of price fixing

    The Department of Justice failed to convince a jury, for an unprecedented third time, to hold poultry executives accountable for conspiring to raise prices.

    By July 8, 2022