We’ve all been laser-focused on the pandemic and its gyrations across the globe for months now, and it certainly deserves that attention. Other trends and developments are happening across the meat supply chain at the same time, however. In a parallel, non-COVID universe these stories would garner more headlines than they have. The fact that they’re flying under the radar in 2020 doesn’t mean processors can ignore them.

CDC: U.S. control of major foodborne pathogens stalled

Foodborne pathogens — remember them? The CDC reported that the rates of foodborne illnesses in the U.S. caused by five of the top eight pathogens increased or stayed the same in 2019 compared with the previous three years. In 2019, the agency identified 25,866 cases of foodborne illness infection, 6,164 hospitalizations, and 122 deaths. The incidence of infections caused by listeria, salmonella and shigella remained unchanged, and those caused by all other reportable pathogens increased during 2019, including cyclospora by 1,209%, yersinia by 153% and vibrio by 79%.

The industry has waged war on these bugs for too many years to allow progress to peter out now. I’m not talking about making sure the food supply is safe; recalls have dropped to almost zero and FSIS has said that’s testament to improved operations in the plants. But the research into better pathogen control still needs attention and funding.

Final WOTUS rule published today; lawsuits to follow

WOTUS rule draws legal fire from 17-state coalition

The festering legal wound that is the Waters of the U.S. rule isn’t going away. Farmers, ranchers and producers, in particular, have benefitted under the Trump administration as various regulations have been rolled back. But climate change, water use and conservation, and the environment remain front-and-center concerns for meat processing, and activists are still all-in on a legal strategy. Before the end of the year, consumers will once again have at least one eye on these issues, and companies should have their marketing and communications plans ready.

China OKs more U.S. beef, pork, poultry plants as eligible to export

Will they or won’t they? Concerns rise over ‘phase one’ implementation

The issue of trade with and exports to China have certain been complicated by COVID-19. After a promising start in January, trade relations between the U.S. and China have become once again a political weapon, and the industry’s opportunities to export millions of tons of pork and poultry, in particular, to that country could very well evaporate.

Smaller pool of refugees could exacerbate industry’s labor crunch

The meat industry’s frustrations trying to keep their production lines staffed predate the pandemic but have been made many-fold more acute because of it. If working in a meat plant was a tough sell a year ago, it will remain all but impossible from now on without meaningful immigration reform. Alternatively, companies can spend millions on cutting-edge automation, if they happen to be able to make that kind of investment. This stark choice has been in front of the meat industry for years, and without decisive action, will remain for years to come.

Forget-me-nots

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