The US government shutdown has ended after 43 days with the passage of a bipartisan funding bill that provides full funding for the FDA and USDA through September 2026. The bill allocates $6.96 billion to the FDA, including $1.17 billion for the Human Foods Program, and $1.22 billion to the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service. The legislation also restricts the FDA from issuing new guidelines on certain low-risk foods and delays enforcement of the Food Traceability Rule until July 2028.

Microsoft and Land O'Lakes have partnered to develop an AI assistant called Oz, using Azure AI Foundry to give agronomists quick access to 20 years of crop data to reduce costs and stabilize yields amid rising input prices. The initiative highlights the increasing importance of digital infrastructure in sustainable farming and food security.

Heineken is partnering with Rondo Energy and EDP to deploy a renewables-powered heat battery system at its brewery and malting facility near Lisbon, Portugal, as part of its efforts to achieve net-zero emissions across its supply chain by 2040. The system, set to go online in April 2027, will include a 7-megawatt solar plant and a 100-megawatt-hour heat battery, providing continuous zero-carbon steam for production processes.

Food companies must be prepared for potential food safety issues and recalls by having comprehensive food safety plans and recall strategies in place, as mandated by the Food Safety Modernization Act, according to food industry and legal experts. When a food safety issue arises, companies must quickly assess the situation, possibly recall products and engage with the FDA. The aftermath of a recall can lead to lawsuits and FDA investigations, highlighting the importance of legal preparedness and effective crisis management.

PepsiCo is launching a new "Simply NKD" line of Cheetos and Doritos that removes artificial dyes and added colors, resulting in snacks that are a natural pale yellow rather than their usual bright hues. The NKD line aims to closely replicate the taste of the original snacks while offering a cleaner label.