Quick Take — Americans ate 1 billion fewer meals in restaurants between January and March than in the comparable quarter a year ago

… McDonald’s CEO, Chris Kempczinski, said that while the burger chain’s sales returned to growth last quarter, visits from low-income customers in particular fell by double digits between April and June as their real incomes dropped…

..While overall food inflation has slowed, the cost of eating out is outpacing that of cooking at home, with the consumer price index for food at home up 2.4 per cent and food away from home up 3.8 per cent in the 12 months to June. The US Department of Agriculture predicts that the cost of eating out will continue to rise faster than meals at home. Last year, consumers spent $1.1 trillion on food at home and $1.5 trillion on food away from home, including taxes and tips…

About McDonald’s read also here.

US: inflation-weary consumers stock up on discount stores

As in France and Italy, inflation due to Covid – 19 in the US has left deep traces that have favoured the development of discount formulas, albeit with very different approaches and sales methods. US consumers are also experiencing the political uncertainty sown by the tariffs wanted by Donald Trump. Box stores (wholesale discounters) are depopulating in the US, driven by concerns about the high cost of living. Chris Nichols , CEO of Sam’s Club (Walmart’s box store chain) predicts ‘difficult times’ for the US economy

Quick Take — Target: consumer boycott for change of direction on diversity and inclusion policies in the US

Last month, Target joined Walmart, McDonald’s, Ford and Lowe’s in withdrawing some of their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the face of mounting pressure from critics. Target announced the decision shortly after President Donald Trump signed several executive orders restricting such initiatives within the federal government and private sector… The drop in customers boycotting the chain ranges from – 4% to – 9%, depending on the week.

Quick Take — Increasing notifications of trade fraud, counterfeiting, adulteration and food alerts in the European Union

This is revealed in the Food Safety Alerts and Fraud Investigation Report for the year 2023, published in mid-September by the European Commission. The document brings together the results of the work of the Alert and Co-operation Network, through which member states share information on official controls in the agri-food chain… Last year, there was an 8% increase in notifications, totalling just under 4,700. The most frequent reason for notification was the presence of pesticide residues, followed by microbiological hazards, especially Salmonella, and mycotoxins…

Most of the notifications concerned non-compliant fruit and vegetables rejected at customs (mainly for the presence of unauthorised pesticides)… Source.

In the USA, the situation with listeria does not look any better. Added to this is the affair involving Mc Donald’s. And the ‘salmonella’ egg affair in Franceshould be noted.

Cases like this one: Rsa in Florence, they feel ill after the meal: 3 elderly people hospitalised die, 114 intoxicated people are likely to increase.

P.S.: there were 4 RSAs.

Compiled 1 October 2024 and updated 18 February 2025