PFAS testing in meat needs harmonised methods before it can guide quality decisions
A harmonised analytical method for 32 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in priority foods provides an important technical foundation for meat monitoring. Published on 28 October in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the work covers meat, eggs, milk, seafood and corn snaplage. It was developed jointly by US state and federal agencies.
Genomic quality prediction must account for breed-specific signals
Genomic selection in beef cattle cannot simply be transferred from one breed to another. A study published on 28 October in the Journal of Animal Science examined genomic associations with eye-muscle area and intramuscular fat in two purebred populations—Angus and Hereford—and three crossbred populations: Brangus, Santa Gertrudis and Speckle Park.
US beef quota makes lean-trim specification the decisive market variable
On 2 November, the United States opened the third and final tranche of an additional quota for lean beef trimmings. US Customs and Border Protection stated that the tranche covers 31 October through 30 November 2026. It comprises 100,000 metric tons administered on a first-come, first-served basis, within a total annual increase of 300,000 metric tons.
Pork quality research gains value only when consumer demand becomes an operational brief
The US National Pork Board has established an Innovation and Pork Quality Advisory Committee bringing together industry leaders from twelve states. The 30 October announcement explicitly places consumer demand at the centre of the new body’s work. Its role is to support the organisation’s staff and producer-led board in innovation and pork-quality research and education.
US pork balance is decided by export destinations and cut-specific demand
The US pork market is relying increasingly on exports to balance production running above year-ago levels and weak domestic demand, according to a CoBank analysis updated on 30 October. The bank reports that its retail pork-demand index fell to its lowest level since 2020 ahead of the grilling season. At the same time, USDA expects 2026 pork exports to reach 7.2 billion pounds, 2.9% above 2025.
