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,

Starbucks Imposes Vaccine Requirement for Employees Amid Single-Day New Case Record

The U.S. reported a single-day record of COVID cases with more than one million new infections as the Omicron variant spreads across the country. The total may be partly due to delayed reporting from over …

Restaurants Place Expensive Bets Ahead of Winter Outdoor Dining

Restaurant owners and operators are gearing up for another winter of outdoor dining. While many had to scramble in 2020 to find tents and propane heaters, restaurateurs are adding higher-quality permanent setups for the coming …

Italy to Require COVID-19 Pass for Workers

Italian workers in public and private sectors must display a health pass to access their workplaces starting October 15, a move prompted by the fact the Delta coronavirus variant continues to surge across much of …

Two Forms of ID, Please: Vaccination Cards Required in San Fran. Bars

Starting Thursday, hundreds of San Francisco bars will require patrons to show proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test before they can drink inside. The decision was made by the San Francisco Bar Owner …

France Issues Vaccine ‘Passport’ Rules; Could U.S. be Next?

French restaurant owners and workers are worried: Are they about to turn into the virus police? Retailers don’t understand how they’ll keep people who haven’t had a COVID-19 vaccination out. France is in the forefront …

Food Companies Incentivizing Workers to Get COVID-19 Vaccinations

Though not requiring workers to get COVID-19 vaccinations, some food retailers are incentivizing them to get the shots. Among the first to do so was Dollar General, which offered employees four hours of pay to …

Food Industry Groups Want Priority Vaccinations for Workers

With limited quantities of the COVID-19 vaccine available, many groups a seeking priority for their employees—including the food industry. Administration of the vaccine began on Dec. 14 in the U.S. with early doses being set …

Trade Groups Seek Priority COVID-19 Vaccine Access for Meat Workers

Three leading meat-industry trade groups are asking U.S. governors to prioritize COVID-19 vaccine access for meat workers, reported Winsight Grocery Business (Dec. 9). The North American Meat Institute, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and the …

Grocery Stores Prepare to Distribute COVID-19 Vaccines

Neighborhood grocery stores will likely serve as major providers of COVID-19 vaccinations, reported The Wall Street Journal (Nov. 30). Supermarkets are working to secure storage materials for the vaccines, and other medical gear required for …

Grocery Gains Could Evaporate Without Consumer Loyalty, But a Vaccine Looks Promising

Grocers’ COVID-19 gains with consumers could evaporate quickly in the year ahead, unless grocers refresh their approach to customer loyalty, according to a Bain & Co. report, reported CNBC (Nov. 9). The firm said that …