FI Fast Break audio news: Oct. 29, 2025

The Fast Break news podcast touches on U.S. consumer confidence hitting a six-month low. as worries about job availability weigh on America.

President Trump Eyes Argentine Beef to Solve Domestic Crisis

Beef prices are sizzling at $6.30/lb, and President Donald Trump’s fix – importing Argentine cattle – is sparking bipartisan backlash. Industry leaders warn the move may fuel geopolitical tensions without lowering consumer costs.

Beef Prices Shock Food Inflation Metrics

Beef prices have shot past inflation benchmarks, driven by supply shocks, tariffs, and parasite outbreaks. As consumers pivot to poultry, food leaders face a meaty challenge in forecasting demand and managing margins.

5 Things to Know About the New World Screwworm

The New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, is threatening livestock across the Americas, with a human case confirmed in Maryland. USDA is racing to contain the pest before it bites into U.S. food security and cattle profits.

Hive Mentality: U.S. Honey Consumption Sets Record

Honey is having a moment – U.S. consumption hit a record 688.6 million pounds in 2024, driven by health-conscious, eco-savvy consumers. But rising demand may strain bee populations and invite counterfeit sweeteners.

America’s Least Appreciated Protein: Why Squid Deserves a Bigger Seat at the Table

Squid – a domestic, nutrient-rich, and eco-friendly protein – is largely overlooked in America’s protein lineup. The Hermit brand of calamari jerky challenges food leaders to rethink underutilized ocean fare before reaching for lab-grown innovations. (Sponsored Content)

Crops Rotting in Fields With Undocumented Farmworkers Gone

Tough immigration enforcement is squeezing farms as migrant workers fear ICE raids – meaning some crops are going unpicked overnight. With labor shortages surging, industry insiders warn of price hikes, food waste, and a looming agricultural breaking point.

Senate Approves Bill Expanding Students’ Access to Plant-Based Milk

A new bipartisan bill approved by the Senate Ag Committee aims to expand access to plant-based milk in schools, offering relief to millions of lactose-intolerant students. If passed, it would require schools to provide non-dairy alternatives to students when requested by a parent, no doctor’s note needed.

NGA Takes Aim at Proposed SNAP Cuts, Industry Concerned

The National Grocers Association recently led efforts to urge Congress to reject a proposal that will slash SNAP funding by 20%.

States Aim to Ban Soda, Candy Purchases From SNAP

Select U.S. states are considering bans on using SNAP benefits to pay for sugary snacks and sodas, causing controversial backlash between industry groups. If approved, the current administration would be the first to ban these specific foods from the program.

Policy Heats Up: Hot Foods Act Poised to Modernize SNAP

The bipartisan reintroduction of the Hot Foods Act aims to modernize SNAP policies by allowing participants to purchase hot, prepared meals. This legislative change, strongly backed by industry leaders, could open new avenues for the food sector to meet the evolving needs of over 42 million Americans.

Cracking the Code: USDA’s Global Mission to Stabilize Egg Supply

Facing a volatile egg market, the USDA is leveraging global partnerships to stabilize U.S. supplies amid sanitation challenges, bird flu impacts, and tariff threats, with egg imports from countries like Turkey and South Korea. Complex trade opportunities remain for food industry leaders to navigate.

Tariff Trouble: Fresh Produce Prices Expected to Spike

The proposed tariffs by the Trump administration on Mexico and Canada are expected to significantly increase fresh produce costs in the U.S.

FI Fast Break audio news: March 12, 2025

The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on the smaller and regional brands that have begun to emerge as consumers seek affordability.

Egg Shortage Solution: Turkey Steps In as U.S. Battles Bird Flu

A Trump administration official is advocating for vaccination and improved biosecurity measures to combat bird flu. Meanwhile, Turkey has started exporting eggs to the U.S. to address shortages caused by the virus.

Egg Limits Hit Shelves in Bird Flu’s Wake

Egg shortages and soaring prices are being driven by the double whammy of severe weather and the bird flu, which has wiped out millions of birds and tightened supplies nationwide. As a result, grocers are implementing measures like purchase limits.

FDA Red Dye No. 3 Ban One Week Out: What You Need to Know

The FDA’s recent ban on Red Dye No. 3, effective January 2027, marks a significant shift for food manufacturers, as the colorant has been linked to cancer in animal studies. The decision has sparked debate over food safety, consumer pressure, and the influence of international standards.

Bird Flu Update: Scientists Fear U.S. Headed Toward Red-Light Scenario

The spread of bird flu has alarmed experts as it increasingly infects cattle and swine. With human cases rising and genetic mutations detected, the virus’s trajectory toward higher transmissibility could pose significant risks to humans, and the food supply chain.

FDA, USDA Evaluate Food-Labeling Burnout

The FDA and USDA are taking steps to understand how consumers interpret common food date labeling terms such as “Sell By” and “Use By” to understand whether it is leading to confusion.

Farm Bill Extension: Crisis Averted, but for How Long?

Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown by passing a stopgap spending measure that prolongs the U.S. farm bill for another year. Experts warn that failing to modernize the farm bill within the next year could exacerbate food price volatility.

Brooke Rollins, Trump’s Ag Secretary Choice, Targets Foreign Farm Ownership

Donald Trump has nominated Brooke L. Rollins, a farm-raised leader of the America First Policy Institute, as his pick for agriculture secretary. She’s expected to focus on tightening regulations around foreign ownership of U.S. farmland.

Is Organic Losing Its Luster? Inflation, Skepticism Reshape Market

Organic food once thrived on consumer perception of health benefits but is now struggling due to increased competition and consumer confusion about labeling. Experts say organic producers must adapt by emphasizing additional value.

Japan’s Rice Shortage Prompts Concerns as Stocks Reach 25-Year Low

Japan is facing a rice shortage, with stocks at a 25-year low and prices at an 11-year high. The crisis highlights the vulnerability of Japan’s rice supply chain and may prompt efforts to develop new rice varieties.

Boar’s Head Recall Exposes Gaps in Food Safety Standards

In the wake of headline-grabbing Boar’s Head deli meat recall, industry experts say more safety standards and inspections are needed to prevent foodborne illness.

Sealing the Deal: Certifications Become Competitive Edge for Food

Today’s consumer is interested in far more than just taste when it comes to the food they purchase. The values and the mission of the brands they buy from need to align with consumers’ beliefs. …

Bird Flu Approaching Danger Point

The USDA is ramping up efforts to stem H5N1 avian influenza as the virus has spread to a third worker, and cattle in at least nine states,

Momentum Building for Grass-Fed Beef

Per the 2024 Power of Meat report, 83% of consumers seek a “better-for-you” option when they purchase protein, such as grass-fed beef, and many brands are eager to accommodate.

HPAI in the Dairy Industry and Implications for Human Health

Recent updates from the FDA indicate that ongoing national testing of retail dairy products demonstrates the efficacy of the pasteurization process in inactivating the HPAI virus.

H5N1 Avian Flu Hits Dairy Herds

The recent spread of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strain (H5N1) to dairy cows in the United States has raised concerns about the potential impact on the dairy and beef industries. While the U.S. …

Say Cheese: Report Reveals Biggest Cheese-Loving Nations

According to the USDA, global cheese consumption is projected to reach a record high of 21.6 million metric tons this year. Cheese consumption is up 5.7% compared to five years ago.

Pork Oversupply Possible Threat to U.S. Economy

Eggs and bacon or sausage: The traditional American breakfast – or at least it used to be. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the pork industry currently is so efficient, it’s producing more meat …

Study: Eating Red Meat Increases Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Eating red meat just twice a week may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a new Harvard University study. Meanwhile, data shows that a relatively small percentage of people eat a …

Expect Surging Beef Prices to Continue

It is an expensive time to be a carnivore with beef prices surging. Retail beef prices are sizzling despite an overall (and very much welcomed) downturn in the overall prices of food as the holidays …

Beef Prices Hitting New Highs at Retail and Restaurants

Domestic beef prices continue to reach new highs. Retail beef prices hit another record high in August, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting a price of $8.31 per lb., according to Wells Fargo analysis …

Drought Sending Pasta Prices Soaring

Pasta, that quick, go-to meal for hungry and cash-strapped college students and busy parents, is no longer the inexpensive choice it once was, with prices for noodles up 8% in the U.S. and 12% in …

What Do Americans Think ‘Natural’ Foods Are?

When a food says “natural” on it, 51% of U.S. adults assume the product is made entirely of whole ingredients and 49% believe there are no preservatives.