Dee-Ann Durbin

A nationwide Cyclospora outbreak initially linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell has reduced traffic at Taco Bell and other salad-focused chains, including Chopt and Sweetgreen. Taco Bell removed lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms, while food-safety experts said the growing number of cases suggested additional contamination sources could be identified. The outbreak comes amid steep lettuce price increases driven by hot weather, supply shortages and higher refrigerated transportation costs, adding pressure to restaurants and consumers.】【。

A 33% rise in the cost of food consumed at home since early 2019 is forcing Americans to change how they shop, cook and eat. Families in Texas are replacing beef with cheaper proteins or going without full meals, while shoppers near Boston rely on sales, coupons and multiple stores. In San Francisco, SNAP benefits and food banks help support a multigenerational household, and in Hawaii, shipping and fuel costs are pushing residents away from local produce toward cheaper imports. The worsening affordability crisis is becoming an important issue ahead of U.S. midterm elections.

Beer sales surged during the World Cup, particularly in U.S. host cities, but the broader global beer market continues to decline due to health concerns, economic pressures and changing consumer habits. Major brewers invested heavily in marketing during the tournament, yet long-term demand remains uncertain as alcohol consumption trends downward. Market reactions to national team eliminations and shifting social behaviors also influence sales, though upcoming major sporting events offer the industry some optimism.

McDonald’s will reintroduce its fried apple pies nationwide starting 23 June to mark the United States’ 250th anniversary, the first broad return of the fried version since it was replaced by a baked version in 1992. Other fast‑food chains are launching patriotic-themed items for the celebration, and a giant fried apple pie installation will appear on Route 66 in Joliet, Illinois until 4 July.

McDonald’s is reintroducing its fried apple pie nationwide for the United States’ 250th anniversary, marking the item’s first broad U.S. return in more than 30 years. The limited-time release coincides with other patriotic-themed offerings from major fast‑food chains. The article highlights key historical dates related to the product, notes the pie’s replacement with a baked version in 1992, and provides numerical insights ranging from calorie comparisons to the number of apples used annually. McDonald’s is also installing a 35‑foot apple pie display along Route 66 in Illinois through July 4.

Kraft Heinz introduced Jell-O Simply, a new line of gelatin products made with fruit and vegetable juices instead of synthetic colors and containing less sugar. The launch is part of a broader shift toward natural ingredients driven by consumer demand and regulatory pressure following federal moves to restrict artificial dyes. Declining sales of artificially colored foods and retailer actions, including Target’s planned removal of synthetic-color cereals, have intensified reformulation efforts. Jell-O Simply will expand to pudding and gelatin mixes later in the year and will remain in the product lineup even after artificial dyes are removed from standard Jell-O products in 2027, though it will cost slightly more than regular versions.

Cruise demand remains strong despite recent hantavirus and norovirus outbreaks, with industry forecasts projecting a record year and companies reporting stable or rising bookings. Experts and veteran travelers say such incidents have minimal impact on long-term demand, in part because cruises are booked well in advance and are perceived as isolated events. Major cruise lines and industry analysts note continued expansion, strong generational interest, and growing appeal across income groups, supported by competitive pricing and new itineraries. Although memories of past major outbreaks like the Diamond Princess remain, current indicators show cruise travel’s global resurgence is continuing unabated.

Kellogg is reintroducing toys into select cereal boxes for the first time in more than ten years through a promotional partnership with Disney and Pixar’s upcoming Toy Story 5, distributing plastic character toys in several major cereal brands. The move reflects a nostalgic marketing effort aimed at restoring a sense of discovery for families while leveraging the film’s theme of toys in a technology-driven world.

Scientific advances in potato breeding led by Michigan State University’s David Douches have produced new potato varieties that store longer, resist disease, and enhance chip production. Michigan, where most potatoes are grown for processing, plays a central role in developing and testing these varieties through the National Chip Program, a rigorous evaluation system that can take over a decade due to the crop’s complex genetics.

Beyond Meat is rebranding as Beyond The Plant Protein Co. and expanding beyond plant‑based meat into products such as protein drinks and bars as U.S. plant‑based meat sales decline. The company is focusing on simpler, plant‑forward ingredients and releasing new items through its online Test Kitchen before moving into retail. Other plant‑based brands, including Eat Just, Impossible Foods and Silk, are also shifting toward high‑protein offerings as consumer demand grows. While Beyond’s traditional meat‑mimicking products still perform well in Europe, the company aims to regain momentum after falling revenue and a challenging U.S. market.

Burger King is testing OpenAI-powered headsets in 500 U.S. restaurants that provide recipe instructions, inventory alerts and customer service insights through a voice assistant called Patty. The system can detect key hospitality words such as “welcome” and “thank you,” which the company says are meant to support coaching rather than track individual workers. The technology will be part of a BK Assistant platform set to roll out nationwide, as multiple fast food chains explore AI tools, including Yum Brands partnering with Nvidia and McDonald’s shifting from IBM to Google for AI development.

Cocoa prices have plunged after a sharp spike in 2024, yet chocolate prices remain high in the U.S. and Europe due to earlier supply shortages, long-term contracts and lingering tariffs on some imports. Although weather improvements in West Africa and expanding production in countries like Ecuador have increased supply, consumer demand has softened as rising prices push shoppers toward alternative sweets. U.S. tariffs imposed under the Trump administration contributed to higher chocolate costs, though some have since been lifted. Companies such as Hershey and Mondelez maintain elevated prices to offset prior costs and monitor consumer tolerance, with Mondelez rolling back prices only in select European markets. The shifting market has boosted both high-end and low-cost chocolate brands as consumers either trade up for premium options or seek cheaper alternatives.

McDonald's reported stronger-than-expected fourth quarter sales and earnings, driven by a renewed emphasis on value pricing and limited‑time promotional offers. U.S. sales rose 6.8% as price cuts, the McValue menu, and promotional items such as Snack Wraps and seasonal meals helped attract lower‑income customers who had previously reduced visits. Similar value strategies also boosted traffic in international markets, including Australia. Revenue increased to $7.01 billion and adjusted earnings exceeded analyst forecasts. Taco Bell also saw gains after expanding its value offerings.

Kraft Heinz has paused its plan to split into two separate companies as CEO Steve Cahillane prioritizes directing resources toward profitable growth. Shares fell after the company reported lower quarterly and annual results. The proposed split would have separated stronger-selling brands from slower-selling ones, but the company will instead invest $600 million in marketing, sales, and product development. Cahillane said the company’s financial position remains strong and expects the new strategy to support a return to profitable growth.

Coca-Cola reported a 1% increase in global unit case volumes in the fourth quarter, driven by stronger demand in the U.S., Japan and Brazil despite price hikes. North America saw improved sales, and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar posted a 13% gain. Premium brands performed better among higher-income consumers, while lower-income buyers showed more strain. Quarterly revenue rose 2% to $11.8 billion, below expectations, but adjusted earnings beat forecasts. The company projects 4% to 5% organic revenue growth in 2026, leading to a nearly 4% decline in shares. Henrique Braun will take over as CEO on March 31, with James Quincey becoming executive chairman.

Starbucks posted stronger-than-expected quarterly sales as holiday promotions and high demand for its Bearista cups boosted performance. Same‑store sales rose 4 percent in the US, and the company reported progress in its ongoing turnaround plan, which includes store redesigns and operational improvements. CEO Brian Niccol said more than 1,000 stores will receive updates by fall. The company also saw a 7 percent sales increase in China and finalized a joint venture with Boyu Capital. Despite temporary disruptions from a US worker strike, overall traffic increased. Revenue reached $9.9 billion, while profit slightly missed expectations due to labor investments and lingering tariff effects.

Food companies are increasingly marketing meals and snacks as “GLP-1 Friendly” to appeal to the growing number of Americans using popular weight‑loss drugs, despite the absence of formal FDA standards for such labels. Dieticians warn that users of GLP‑1 medications require nutrient‑dense foods due to reduced appetite and emphasize sufficient protein, fiber, hydration, and limited fat intake. Major brands including Nestle, Conagra, and Smoothie King have launched products or labels targeting this market, though some items marketed as GLP‑1 supportive contain high amounts of sodium, fat, or calories. USDA has approved certain labels with conditions, but experts caution that misleading marketing could both confuse consumers and trivialize medical treatment, urging companies to focus on clear nutritional benefits rather than vague claims.

Mondelez will introduce Oreo Zero Sugar and Oreo Double Stuf Zero Sugar in the United States starting in January, expanding a product line previously available in Europe and China. The launch targets rising consumer demand for healthier snacks, echoed by industry research showing growing interest in portion-controlled and wellness-oriented options among younger buyers. The sugar-free Oreos use a blend of maltitol, polydextrose, sucralose and acesulfame potassium, following four years of development to match the taste of regular Oreos. The new versions contain no added sugars and fewer calories per serving compared with the original cookies, entering a competitive market that includes sugar-free offerings from Hershey, Voortman and other major brands.

Cracker Barrel reported first‑quarter revenue below expectations and cut its full‑year forecast as customer backlash to a failed logo redesign continued to hurt sales. Same‑store restaurant and retail sales declined, pushing shares down more than 10 percent. The company reversed the logo change and suspended store remodel plans after widespread criticism. CEO Julie Felss Masino retained shareholder support, but director Gilbert Davila resigned after shareholders rejected his reelection.

PepsiCo plans to cut prices and remove nearly 20 percent of its US product lines to redirect resources toward marketing and consumer value while introducing new items with simpler, functional ingredients. The overhaul follows Elliott Investment Management’s $4 billion stake and pressure for clearer strategy and stronger growth. The company projects 2 to 4 percent organic revenue growth by 2026 through affordability initiatives, innovation, and cost reductions.

PepsiCo plans to cut prices and eliminate about one-fifth of its product lines while accelerating the launch of items with simpler ingredients, following pressure from Elliott Investment Management. Elliott, which took a $4 billion stake last year, pushed for clearer strategy amid slowing growth and weakening profitability. Both sides expressed confidence that the new plan, emphasizing affordability, innovation and cost reductions, will improve performance. PepsiCo expects modest organic revenue growth in 2026 and will continue supply‑chain and board changes as it adapts to shifting consumer demand after years of price increases.

Wendy’s plans to close a mid‑single‑digit percentage of its U.S. restaurants, potentially around 300 locations, after already shutting 240 stores earlier in the year. Interim CEO Ken Cook said closures or improvements will target underperforming outlets to boost profitability and strengthen the brand. The company has struggled with declining U.S. traffic, with same‑store sales falling 5 percent amid inflationary pressure on lower‑income consumers. Meal deals have helped stabilize visits, but Wendy’s intends to shift marketing toward value and ingredient freshness. Shares have fallen sharply as the company navigates falling profits.

Unionized Starbucks workers plan a nationwide strike on November 13, coinciding with the company’s high‑traffic Red Cup Day, unless a contract agreement is reached. Starbucks Workers United says contract negotiations have stalled under new CEO Brian Niccol, while Starbucks argues it already provides strong compensation and claims the union is misrepresenting pay proposals. Workers in at least 25 U.S. cities are expected to participate.

Yum Brands is reviewing strategic options for Pizza Hut, including a possible sale, following a 7% drop in US sales despite modest international growth. Pizza Hut continues to struggle with shifting consumer preferences away from its traditional dine‑in model. Yum Brands CEO Chris Turner said the brand may achieve greater value under different ownership.