An ongoing U.S. government shutdown, now in its 24th day, jeopardizes food assistance for over 40 million Americans, including SNAP and WIC recipients. At least 25 states are preparing to suspend benefits starting November 1, prompting states to seek emergency measures and advocates to urge the use of federal contingency funds.
Japan is grappling with rising egg price concerns following the season's first highly pathogenic avian influenza case in Hokkaido. Approximately 459,000 laying hens are being culled, impacting an already strained supply chain and pushing prices near record highs.
The Trump administration is reportedly planning to quadruple its typical quota of Argentine beef imports, raising it from 20,000 to 80,000 metric tons. This move aims to lower soaring consumer food prices but faces strong pushback from U.S. ranchers and agricultural economists who express concerns about market impact and domestic industry harm.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the deployment of the California National Guard and the allocation of up to $80 million in state funds to bolster food banks. This action comes in response to anticipated delays in SNAP benefits, affecting approximately 5.5 million Californians, due to an ongoing federal government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025.
Ireland's Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has announced the removal of over 25,000 unsafe toys, costumes, and props from the Irish market since Halloween 2024. The items failed to meet safety standards, posing risks such as choking, strangulation, and fire hazards. The CCPC urges parents to use a '3-Step Safety Check' when purchasing children's products.
The Indonesian government announced it will revoke business licenses of rice distributors, traders, and retailers who fail to comply with the Highest Retail Price (HET) regulation. This measure aims to stabilize rice prices and ensure subsidies reach consumers, with a two-week grace period for compliance.
French customs at Boulogne-sur-Mer recently rejected three British shellfish shipments from Devon-based Offshore Shellfish, resulting in a £150,000 loss. The rejections, citing issues like insufficient washing, occurred despite a recent UK-EU 'reset' deal aimed at easing trade, raising concerns about post-Brexit trade friction.
Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned Oman's acting chargé d'affaires in Tehran to protest media reports linking two deaths in Oman to contaminated bottled water imported from Iran. Tehran asserted the incident was a 'family-related criminal case driven by revenge' and unrelated to the Iranian product, urging Omani authorities to clarify the facts and avoid stigmatizing Iranian goods.
Bangladesh is importing 4 lakh tonnes of rice, shortening tender periods from 42 to 15 days, to bolster food stocks and expand Open Market Sale (OMS) supply. This urgent measure addresses rising rice prices, reduced distribution, and potential flood impacts on the upcoming Aman harvest, aiming to stabilize the market and ensure food security.
Japan's agriculture ministry forecasts the 2025 staple rice harvest to hit a nine-year high of 7,477,000 tons, marking a 10% increase from the previous year. This significant rise is expected to exceed 7 million tons for the first time since 2022, potentially impacting retail prices and supply dynamics.
Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries forecasts the 2025 staple rice harvest to hit a nine-year high of 7,477,000 tons, marking a 10% increase from the previous year. This surge follows a period of shortages and rising prices, with the estimate based on September 25 crop data.
Guam's 2nd Annual Agricultural Symposium, themed 'Rooted In Resilience,' is underway at the Guam Museum. The three-day event gathers stakeholders to address the island's significant food import reliance, focusing on sustainable practices, local farming, and innovative solutions to enhance food security amidst environmental and global challenges.
Brazilian authorities are investigating a methanol poisoning outbreak, primarily in São Paulo, with 11 confirmed cases, 116 suspected, and one confirmed death. Health Minister Alexandre Padilha issued warnings against consuming distilled beverages of unknown origin, as police probe the source of the contaminated alcohol.
Indonesia has launched a comprehensive cleanup operation across 10 sites in the Cikande Modern Industrial Estate, Banten, to address Cesium-137 contamination. The effort follows the detection of radioactive material in exports and has led to nine individuals receiving treatment for exposure.
Wallis and Futuna will launch its Food Week from October 3 to 10, 2025, an initiative aimed at fostering healthy, local, and responsible eating habits across the territory. Organized by the Direction des services de l'agriculture, de la forêt et de la pêche (DSA), the event seeks to address public health concerns and promote traditional culinary practices.
President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a plan to strengthen Mexico's germplasm banks to safeguard the nation's 64 corn varieties. This initiative follows a constitutional reform enacted on March 17, 2025, which prohibits the cultivation of genetically modified corn, underscoring Mexico's commitment to food sovereignty and biocultural heritage.
China's Standing Committee of the National People's Congress adopted significant amendments to the Food Safety Law on September 12, 2025, effective December 1, 2025. The changes focus on a new licensing system for bulk liquid food transport and stricter regulations for infant formula liquid milk, aiming to enhance consumer safety.
Brazil and Cuba successfully concluded their first high-level meeting on 'Public Policies for Food Sovereignty and Nutritional Security' in Havana. The two-day event, held on September 23 and 24, 2025, aimed to deepen bilateral cooperation in agriculture, food supply, and public health, with a focus on strengthening agri-food systems and family farming.
Japanese retail rice prices have resumed an upward trend, reaching an average of ¥4,275 per 5 kilograms, despite the recent arrival of the new crop. This surge, driven by high procurement costs and intense competition among dealers, is causing concern among retailers facing reduced profits as consumers seek cheaper alternatives.
The Romanian government has extended its cap on commercial markups for 17 essential foodstuffs until March 2026. This measure, initially introduced in June 2023, aims to protect the purchasing power of low-income citizens and curb inflation amidst ongoing economic challenges.
