AGP Executive Report

Food Safety Crisis: The U.S. cyclospora outbreak keeps widening, with Ohio reporting more than 2,500 cases and Michigan topping 7,600, while the CDC says the national total is above 4,000 confirmed cases (and likely far higher). New Investigation: Federal health officials are also probing a separate cyclospora outbreak where at least 72 people have fallen ill, but the FDA still hasn’t identified the contaminated product. Producer Fallout: Taylor Farms temporarily shut its central Mexico processing facility tied to the earlier lettuce-linked outbreak, as regulators continue to sort out what’s safe and what isn’t. Retail Response: Taco Bell has removed the implicated lettuce and is pushing $1 “lettuce-free” deals to win back customers amid confusion and lawsuits. LATAM Angle: In Venezuela, tourism and local food businesses in Galipán are coordinating a “progressive and safe” reopening after June earthquakes, with authorities inspecting roads and slopes and setting priorities for inns, restaurants, farms, and services.

Food Safety Crisis: The U.S. Cyclospora outbreak linked to Mexico-sourced iceberg lettuce continues to expand, with federal officials investigating multiple clusters and retailers/restaurants removing recalled product while health departments track new cases. Industry Response: FDA scrutiny remains focused on Taylor Farms’ lettuce supply chain as companies adjust sourcing and distribution, and lawsuits mount over the “explosive diarrhea” fallout. Regional Food Liberalization (Cuba): Cuba’s state authorizes restaurants and other state-run food outlets to contract directly with private suppliers for fresh and prepared foods plus raw materials and supplies, aiming to ease shortages and boost offerings. Tourism & F&B Demand (World Cup spillover): World Cup watch parties and fan travel are still feeding foodservice sales, with Visa reporting “pop-up economies” across host cities and hotel groups citing major last-minute revenue boosts tied to Spain-Argentina final travel. Retail & Dining Openings (Tenerife): La Gran Manzana, an 18,000m² shopping and leisure center in South Tenerife, opens today with major brands and a lineup of new restaurants and cafés. Logistics for Food & Beverage (Brazil): Maersk expands its Latin America network with a new distribution center at Suape Port in Pernambuco, supporting faster, more resilient supply for sectors including food and beverage. Culinary Innovation (Caribbean): Trinidad & Tobago’s young chefs and bakers are pushing local flavors into new concepts, including a bid for Michelin recognition and locally inspired doughnuts.

Food Safety Crisis: The U.S. FDA is investigating another cyclospora outbreak (72 cases) with an unidentified source, as the broader U.S. cyclosporiasis surge tops 4,100 confirmed cases across 41 states and Michigan alone reports 7,171. Recall Fallout: Taylor Farms’ iceberg lettuce recall remains in effect after an FDA “false positive” lab result, but federal officials still link the outbreak to shredded lettuce sourced from central Mexico, with at least 1,644 reported illnesses. Restaurant Guidance: Health officials urge diners to ask where lettuce comes from and consider fully cooked dishes while outbreaks are active. LATAM Trade & Prices: Reuters reports U.S. coffee drinkers could face higher costs if Washington responds to Nicaragua’s election ban, with Nicaragua a major coffee exporter. Travel & Demand Signals: Visa says the World Cup drove a 20% boost in cross-border payments around match sites in Canada, Mexico and the U.S., with dining and retail activity spiking in host cities. Industry Watch: A new Latin-Japanese restaurant opens in Southwest Florida, leaning on local sourcing and “no seed oils” cooking.

Food Safety Crisis: The US cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce served at some Taco Bell locations is now the worst recorded in recent years, with 4,173 domestic infections across 41 states and thousands more suspected; North Carolina alone has surged past 500 cases, while Mexico continues to dispute that its lettuce is the source. Recall & Liability: Taylor Farms has expanded its lettuce recall to 27 states, even as the FDA says a key lettuce test was a false positive—yet epidemiology and traceback still keep the company at the center; lawsuits are mounting, including a Durand, Michigan couple suing Taco Bell and Taylor Fresh Foods. Brand Impact Watch: Analysts say Taco Bell sales may dip (foot traffic down 18.9% vs. earlier Fridays), but long-term brand damage is unlikely unless the outbreak drags on for months. Market Signals: Separately, Coca-Cola rolled out a new global visual identity system, with an initial rollout including Latin America, as F&B brands push for simpler, more consistent branding. Trade & Pricing Pressure: US moves toward 50% tariffs on some Canadian imports could quickly hit alcohol and dairy prices for shoppers, with knock-on effects for bars and restaurants.

Food Safety Crisis (LATAM supply chain): The U.S. FDA says its cyclospora investigation is still pointing to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, even after reporting a lab result was a false positive; the recall remains in effect across multiple states and includes lettuce sold via Walmart and served at some Taco Bell locations, while health officials warn consumers to avoid recalled products and keep washing produce. Regulatory Back-and-Forth: FDA acting commissioner Kyle Diamantas stressed the false-positive finding doesn’t change the outbreak probe, and officials say they’re still looking at other possible sources. Mexico Pushback: Mexico’s health minister said there’s no evidence the outbreak originated in Guanajuato, with Cofepris and Senasica continuing inspections and traceability checks. Operational Impact: Restaurants and grocers report menu and foot-traffic shifts as diners reassess salad and fresh-produce risk. Hospitality & F&B Growth (Uruguay): Hotel Equities will manage SLS Punta del Este under Accor/Ennismore, with a full food-and-beverage program planned for early 2029. Resort Upgrades (Costa Rica): Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo is rolling out new suites and a refreshed signature Latin American steakhouse by end-2026.

Food Safety Crisis: The U.S. cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce remains under a recall after the FDA said a Taylor Farms lettuce test was a “false positive,” while still saying its traceback and outbreak data point to Taylor Farms lettuce from central Mexico—leaving consumers told to keep avoiding recalled products. Public Health Updates (LATAM angle): Alabama reported 28 cyclosporiasis cases as of July 20, with investigations ongoing and no deaths; officials stress produce safety and guidance as cases climb across multiple states. F&B Innovation & Culture: Paraguay’s ka’a he’ẽ (stevia) story gets spotlighted as a Guaraní plant that became a global zero-calorie sweetener. Hospitality & Dining: W Hotels opened its first Saudi property, W Riyadh – KAFD, featuring Latin-American dining and new social spaces. Community Food Event: Teletón’s La Comilona charity festival received Paraguay’s Marca País licence and will debut in Queens, New York, on July 26. Branding: Coca-Cola rolls out a refreshed global visual identity across Latin America, aiming for stronger consistency on packaging and digital touchpoints.

Food Safety Fallout (US): The FDA says a lab result that initially flagged Cyclospora in a Taylor Farms lettuce sample was a false positive, but it insists its traceback and “overwhelming” outbreak data still point to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms in central Mexico as the source behind illnesses tied to Taco Bell in Michigan and four other states. Outbreak Update (US): Michigan reported 6,148 cases and 102 hospitalizations, with Alabama adding 28 cases; officials stress the investigation is still looking at other possible clusters and commodities. Recall & Retail Impact: Taylor Farms’ broad iceberg lettuce recall remains in effect, and retailers including Walmart and Whole Foods have faced consumer scrutiny over how product is handled during the investigation. Industry Business (Mexico): Restaurant operator Alsea cut its 2026 earnings growth outlook after weak consumer spending and currency headwinds, reporting a 53% drop in Q2 net profit. Science for Alternative Dairy: Israeli researchers report a new seed-based method to produce and store β-casein, a key milk protein, aiming to boost cow-free dairy ingredients. Tourism/Travel Disruption (Florida): Summer beachgoers in Florida are warned to prepare for extreme sargassum washups, which can affect air quality and beach conditions.

Food Safety Fallout (LATAM supply chain): The U.S. FDA walked back an earlier Cyclospora-positive result tied to Taylor Farms’ central Mexico iceberg lettuce, calling it a false positive after lab re-review. The recall still stands because traceback and epidemiology pointed to shredded iceberg lettuce linked to Taylor Farms, with the investigation ongoing after illnesses reported across multiple states. Retail Response: Walmart pulled specific Marketside bagged iceberg lettuce items from shelves in affected locations while retailers and distributors removed implicated lettuce from supply chains. Legal Pressure: Cyclospora-related lawsuits tied to Taco Bell-linked lettuce began stacking up as consumers sought damages, even as the FDA’s “false positive” update reshaped what’s confirmed. On-the-ground Disruption: Separate reports show World Cup viewing sparked clashes and outages, underscoring how foodservice demand spikes during major matches can quickly turn into operational and safety headaches.

Food Safety Recall: Taylor Farms expanded its voluntary iceberg lettuce recall tied to the cyclospora outbreak, pulling products sourced from central Mexico shipped to 27 U.S. states; FDA/CDC link the illnesses to lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants, with reports of 1,644 cases and 94 hospitalizations. Retail & Supply Chain Response: Distributors and retailers moved quickly—Sysco halted distribution and told customers to destroy affected lettuce, while Walmart removed multiple Taylor Farms salads as the recall list grew. Consumer Guidance: Taco Bell said the implicated lettuce was not served in Canada, and urged precautionary action across its supply chain as health agencies continue tracing the lot. Public Health Impact: A newlywed reported “explosive” diarrhea and a positive cyclospora diagnosis after eating shredded lettuce, underscoring the outbreak’s severity. LATAM Angle: The implicated supply originates in Mexico, keeping cross-border produce scrutiny front and center for the region’s fresh-food trade.

Food Safety Alert: Taylor Farms expanded its voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce tied to the U.S. cyclospora outbreak, now covering products shipped to 27 states, including Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Illinois and New Jersey, after FDA testing linked lettuce to the parasite and Sysco halted distribution. Local Business & Hospitality: As the Argentina–Spain World Cup final draws crowds, venues across Canada and India are extending hours and setting up watch parties—Hyderabad approved late-night screenings for hotels, restaurants and pubs, while Canada’s host cities are preparing major public fan zones. Culture Through Food: Paraguay’s “Chiperita del Mundial” Norma Quintana is spotlighting chipa as a global World Cup ambassador, turning a traditional snack into a national identity story. Supply Chain Pressure (Outside LATAM): Cairo’s “Garbage City” recyclers are seeing demand rise as Iran–U.S. conflict disrupts plastic raw-material shipping via the Strait of Hormuz, boosting locally recycled polyethylene.

Food Safety Crisis: U.S. health agencies say shredded iceberg lettuce tied to Taylor Farms (central Mexico) is linked to a fast-growing Cyclospora outbreak, with cases reported across dozens of states and consumers told not to eat the implicated greens. Recall & Retail Response: Taylor Farms expanded a voluntary 27-state recall of iceberg lettuce (with “best by” dates into early August) and said it stopped sourcing from the implicated lot; Sysco halted distribution and Walmart removed four bagged products from select stores as a precaution. Restaurant Impact: Taco Bell pulled the lettuce from locations in five states after FDA/CDC tracing, while the investigation continues and more products could be added. Cross-Border Probe: Mexico’s health and agriculture ministries launched a preventive investigation with U.S. counterparts, focusing on traceability and risk mitigation. LATAM Angle: The outbreak’s Mexico supply chain is now under scrutiny, underscoring how quickly produce disruptions can ripple into major restaurant and retail channels.

Food Safety Shock (LATAM-linked): U.S. CDC and FDA traced a multistate cyclospora outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, with Taylor Farms de Mexico identified as the supplier; Taco Bell says it removed the affected lettuce nationwide and Taylor Farms says it’s pulling the central Mexico iceberg lettuce from the U.S. market. Supply Chain & Retail Impact: Local grocers and restaurants in affected areas report shifting away from bagged shredded lettuce and switching to whole heads, while consumers are told to avoid the product and sanitize surfaces that touched it. Beverage Demand Watch: A World Cup beer-sales surge in the U.S. is boosting bars and restaurants, but broader beer consumption trends remain soft globally as consumers trade down and choose “wellness” drinks. Culture & Hospitality: Chef Dom Taylor, a 44-year-old champion of modern Caribbean cuisine, died suddenly; tributes highlight his London restaurant The Good Front Room. World Cup Spillover: Fans and venues across cities are turning matches into business—watch parties, late-night openings and themed menus—showing how soccer fever keeps feeding the food-and-drink economy.

Food Safety Crisis: U.S. health authorities tied a fast-growing cyclosporiasis outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, with cases now topping 1,600 and hospitalizations rising; the FDA traceback points to Mexico-grown lettuce supplied by California-based Taylor Farms. Corporate Response: Taco Bell has removed the implicated lettuce from affected states and Taylor Farms says it is voluntarily pulling all central Mexico iceberg lettuce from the U.S. market, stressing no Taylor Farms-branded salads or kits are linked. Legal Fallout: Lawsuits have been filed against Taco Bell and its franchisees, with plaintiffs alleging negligence and deceptive practices tied to the outbreak. Trade & Exports Watch: In Argentina, Villa María Exporta is set to bring food-sector buyers from multiple continents to local firms, aiming to expand agri-food exports. World Cup Consumer Pull: In Mexico, Reuters reports the 2026 World Cup delivered mostly short-term, localized economic lift without changing the broader growth outlook—while in Argentina, fan-driven demand boosted delivery and retail orders for team-related products.

Food Safety Alert: The FDA and CDC say a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell has sickened 1,600+ people across Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, with 90+ hospitalizations; Taco Bell says it’s removing potentially impacted lettuce from the supplier and will replace it in affected states while traceback continues. Producer Traceability: Reports point to Mexico-based lettuce supplier Taylor Farms as the likely source, but officials have not formally named it in public updates. Local Recognition (Mexico): Mexico’s consulate in Yuma awarded Mariscos La Apoma the new “Sello M” for promoting authentic Mexican cuisine abroad, highlighting traditional recipes and ingredients sourced from Mexico. Coffee Trade (Honduras): Spirit Origin won the top lot at Honduras’ 2026 Cup of Excellence, keeping the champion coffee roasted and served at origin. Logistics (Brazil): Maersk opened a distribution and warehousing center near Port of Suape in Pernambuco, designed to support sectors including food and beverage.

Food Safety Watch: The FDA is investigating shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell by Taylor Farms as a possible source in a fast-growing cyclosporiasis outbreak, with thousands sickened across multiple Midwestern states and no single confirmed origin yet. Labor & Immigration: LA stadium food workers won the right to strike if ICE poses a threat to their safety, highlighting how match-day staffing and enforcement risks collide. Hospitality & Tourism: Sandals Resorts announced a $200M refresh of three Jamaica all-inclusives, reopening from Nov. 2026 with new room concepts and dining. World Cup Economy: Watch parties and match-day promotions are boosting bars and restaurants in host cities, from Milwaukee to New York, as Spain vs. Argentina drives foot traffic and themed menus. Caribbean Culinary Culture: Curaçao and Bonaire’s Island Vibes magazine released its latest edition spotlighting local ingredients and stories, reinforcing the region’s food tourism pull. Tech for F&B Ops: QCI Resorts rolled out agentic, real-time resort operations spanning hospitality and food & beverage systems.

World Cup Retail & Food Promotions: Mall at Short Hills in New Jersey is staging a “It’s a Fußball Thing” event ahead of the July 19 final, with soccer-themed tastings and drinks plus brand activations from chocolate to jewelry and luggage. Restaurant Safety Inspections: Pennsylvania’s agriculture department flagged multiple food-handling issues at 1365 Cafe Brock, including improper hot-holding temperatures, expired ready-to-eat items, and storage/thermometer compliance problems. Sports Tourism & Local Spending: Guam Marianas Pro Hong Kong debuts July 19 with 500+ entries, positioning the event as a driver of hotel stays, restaurant spend, and transport activity. Food & Beverage Expansion in Puerto Rico: Fazoli’s opened its first Puerto Rico location in Bayamón with a $5.4M investment backed by local development financing, creating 56 jobs and setting up a second opening in Cupey. Foodborne Health Watch: U.S. health coverage highlights a growing cyclosporiasis surge, with Washington reporting isolated cases tied mostly to travel rather than local spread.