Rachael Oatman

UTRECHT, NETHERLANDS — 2025 is shaping out to be a year of robust growth for the global poultry industry, according to RaboResearch’s latest animal protein report. Affordability, sustainability trends and strong demand in emerging markets drive this positive momentum. Keeping up the impressive pace from 2024, the global poultry market is expected to grow by 2.5% to 3% in the new year.

DIETERICH, ILL. — The state of Illinois reached an agreement with Frichtl Processing and Slaughtering LLC to invest $2.5 million in the company’s expansion through an Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) for Startups tax credit program. Under the agreement, Frichtl will purchase space in the Industrial Park East in Dieterich, Ill., to construct a new 9,227-square-foot meat processing and packaging facility.

WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a new recommendation for hospitals to accelerate the process of confirming cases of H5N1 in patients. The agency is now suggesting that hospitals, especially intensive care units (ICUs), begin to implement rapid subtyping for cases of influenza A.

KANSAS CITY, MO. — Strategically rolling out just in time for the NFL playoffs, Tyson Foods Inc. announced an all-new Kansas City Chiefs-themed chicken nugget, available now at select retail stores in Kansas City and coming to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

ATLANTA — Packers Sanitation Services Inc. (PSSI) announced a new brand name and identity on Jan. 22. The food safety solution and sanitation provider will now be known as Fortrex.

DENVER — A Colorado judge granted preliminary approval for settlements totaling over $188 million in a class-action wage-fixing lawsuit targeted at red meat processing companies.

WASHINGTON — Custom Food Solutions, based in Louisville, Ky., is recalling approximately 105,164 lbs of ready-to-eat (RTE) frozen drunken chicken product due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, announced the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on Jan. 22. The product may contain egg and sesame, known allergens that were not declared on the product label.

SALISBURY, MD. — Perdue Farms announced its adoption of the “NestBorn” on-farm hatching concept into its broiler production and supply chain. This innovative approach to hatching day-old chicks in broiler farms instead of in hatcheries fits into the company’s commitments to animal care and No Antibiotics Ever.

Sandra Eskin, new chief executive officer of Stop Foodborne Illness.

TURLOCK, CALIF. — Foster Farms, a subsidiary of Atlas Hodings, recently announced the company will shut down its fresh turkey processing operations in Turlock, Calif on May 9. The company cited changing market demand as the reason for the closure, which will affect 519 employees.