Meat+Poultry - December 2021 - 8

COMMENTARY
2021 - a year in review
While the highs and lows of 2021
weren't quite as unexpected as those
that came in 2020, the year still came
with its share of challenges. As we
rang in the 2021 New Year - most of us
with fewer friends and family by our
side than during pre-pandemic times
- there was a long list of unknowns.
How would the new presidency effect
the nation? How many more lives
would be lost to the coronavirus?
How quickly could COVID-19 vaccines
be distributed to US citizens and
throughout the world? How much
longer would pandemic restrictions be
necessary? Would processing, retail
and foodservice operations be able to
return to " normal " anytime soon?
2021 was a year of challenges,
around the globe and in our industry
here at home. As we move into the
year ahead, it's important to look back
to learn from our previous challenges.
This month's " Year in review " report
will examine some of those industry
hot topics and challenges that made
headlines throughout the year.
The first ongoing obstacle of 2021
has been regulations throughout the
industry, highlighted in the article
on Page 24. The pork industry is
still working to defeat California's
Proposition 12, which prevents
pork from being sold in the state
if producers don't meet criteria
for animal confinement outlined in
the law. And, the pork and poultry
industries continue to be challenged
with line speed issues as regulators
have stopped issuing waivers for
increased speeds beyond those initially
outlined through the New Swine
Inspection System and New Poultry
Inspection System.
On the beef side, the National
Cattlemen's Beef Association
(NCBA) has been battling against the
Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling
and the Optimizing the Cattle Market
Act of 2021.
Animal diseases also threatened the
meat supply around the globe in 2021.
In " Animal disease awareness " (see
Page 28), find out how African swine
fever and avian influenza continued
to spread, and atypical and classical
bovine spongiform encephalopathy
(BSE) showed up in animals in Europe
and South America.
Labor issues are a growing concern
in the meat processing industry as
processors struggle to find a consistent
workforce - (See " Working it out, "
Page 32). Labor unions throughout the
industry continue to lead the efforts
to keep plants operating at capacity
while looking out for the employees
that keep those facilities running. A
number of larger companies, including
Smithfield Foods, Triumph Foods and
Tyson Foods, reassessed their pay
structures this year, increasing wage
rates, benefits and bonuses.
Processors also struggled with ways
to keep their workforce healthy during
the ongoing pandemic with vaccine
distribution and even occasional
mandates - (See " Protecting the front
line, " Page 42).
Another hot topic that made
headlines throughout the year was
alternative proteins - both plant-based
and cultured varieties. With no end in
sight, alternative protein companies
continue to expand their product
options for their varied consumer base.
" Taking root " on Page 36, covers the
expansion of Upside Foods - formerly
Memphis Meats - and its newly
completed Engineering, Production and
Innovation Center (EPIC) in Emeryville,
Calif., one of the first cultured meat
production facilities in the world.
On the plant-based side, products
keep popping up on the market.
Impossible Foods introduced its
plant-based " chicken " nuggets in
September and a pork alternative in
October. And Beyond Meat is working
with restaurant chains such as Taco
Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut and McDonald's
on distributing more of its plantbased
products.
As we close out 2021, we'll all be
anxious to see what makes industry
headlines in 2022.
KIMBERLIE CLYMA | kclyma@sosland.com
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Meat+Poultry - December 2021

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