San Francisco initiated the first government lawsuit against food manufacturers over ultra-processed foods, arguing that these companies are responsible for the financial burden on local governments due to related health issues. The city is suing ten major corporations, accusing them of deceptive marketing practices and violating state laws. The lawsuit seeks damages for the costs associated with treating residents harmed by ultra-processed foods, which are linked to numerous health conditions. The city’s actions are supported by scientific findings that connect these foods to significant health risks and the companies’ prioritization of profit over public health.
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Tyson, Cargill to pay $88 million to consumers in beef price-fixing lawsuit, a settlement that feels like a small dent in a much larger problem. It’s hard not to feel a mix of frustration and cynicism when you hear about these kinds of agreements. On the one hand, it’s good that some money is going back to consumers who were likely overcharged for their beef. On the other hand, $88 million just doesn’t seem like much when you consider the potential scale of the price-fixing and the immense profits these companies likely made from it.
The whole situation seems to be a recurring theme.… Continue reading
Walmart announced a plan to remove synthetic food dyes and 30 other ingredients, including preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and fat substitutes, from its store brands in the U.S. by January 2027. This initiative, affecting approximately 1,000 products under brands like Great Value, Marketside, and Freshness Guaranteed, aims to respond to consumer demand for fewer additives. While some targeted ingredients are already banned or rarely used, others have raised health concerns, with the company citing the availability of viable alternatives for maintaining product quality and affordability as the primary motivator for the change. Walmart’s Sam’s Club division is also removing more than 40 ingredients from its Member’s Mark products, signaling a broader industry shift toward cleaner ingredient labels.
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Tyson Foods to drop corn syrup from Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, and more products by the end of the year is big news, and honestly, my first thought is, what’s the replacement? The immediate context is that this move comes amid concerns over sugar consumption, and there’s a push for healthier, more “whole food” dietary guidelines. But, let’s be real, will the replacement be truly better, or just a different form of sugar?
The concerns voiced about this shift include how it could affect the American corn industry. Corn farmers might not be thrilled, given the potential impact on their market.… Continue reading
PepsiCo to rebrand Lays, Tostitos without artificial dyes, flavors. Okay, so it looks like PepsiCo is making some changes to its popular snack brands, Lays and Tostitos, by removing artificial dyes and flavors. Honestly, it seems like a small step, but it could be a sign of changing consumer preferences and maybe even some gentle pressure from the powers that be to clean up junk food a little bit.
PepsiCo to rebrand Lays, Tostitos without artificial dyes, flavors. From what I’ve gathered, this whole thing is sparking a wide range of reactions, and they’re pretty interesting. Some folks are welcoming the move, seeing it as a step in the right direction, especially if they’ve already been enjoying the “Simply” line of snacks.… Continue reading
The W.K. Kellogg Co., the cereal-focused entity formed after the 2023 split of the original Kellogg Company, is reportedly in talks to be acquired by the Ferrero Group, known for Nutella, for an estimated $3.1 billion. This potential acquisition comes after Kellogg’s snack business was slated to be purchased by Mars Inc. for $35.9 billion. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year. The news marks significant shifts in the cereal and snack food industries.
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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently praised Mom’s Meals, a company delivering taxpayer-funded meals to Medicaid and Medicare enrollees, even though these meals contain numerous ultraprocessed food additives. An Associated Press review reveals the meals, such as chicken bacon ranch pasta, are high in sodium, sugar, or saturated fats and include ingredients that are not easily replicated at home. Nutritionists argue these meals are the type of processed foods that Kennedy routinely criticizes, despite the company’s claims of not including synthetic food dyes or high fructose corn syrup. This comes as the Health Secretary advocates for healthier diets as part of his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.
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McDonald’s announced plans to hire up to 375,000 workers this summer, its largest hiring target in years, coinciding with the 10-year anniversary of its employee education program, “Archways to Opportunity.” This significant hiring spree comes amidst the company’s expansion plans, aiming to add 900 new U.S. restaurants by 2027. The move follows McDonald’s efforts to maintain positive relations with the current administration, including a donation to the previous presidential inauguration. The increased hiring also addresses the typical summer surge in demand within the fast-food industry.
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McDonald’s reported a 3.6% decline in U.S. same-store sales, its worst performance since the pandemic’s peak in 2020, significantly underperforming expectations. This drop, attributed to reduced customer traffic, particularly among middle- and lower-income consumers, reflects a broader trend of decreased discretionary spending. While high-income customer traffic remained steady, the company noted increased anti-American sentiment in some international markets. Despite these challenges, McDonald’s maintained its full-year outlook, citing positive impacts from promotions and value offerings.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood