FDA’s 2026 Human Foods Program to Advance Food Safety, Nutrition, and Seafood Import Oversight

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has outlined its Human Foods Program (HFP) priority deliverables for 2026, emphasizing a robust agenda to enhance food safety, modernize regulatory frameworks, and promote better nutrition across the nation's food supply. This comprehensive plan addresses critical areas for agri-food producers, processors, and importers, with a sharper focus on seafood, chemicals, nutrition, and enforcement modernization.

Given the high volume of imported seafood demanded by US consumers, the FDA is prioritizing seafood safety as a key component of its 2026...

Stone Crab and Lobster Price-Fixing Case: Florida Exec Avoids Prison

Dennis Dopico, the Florida seafood executive who pleaded guilty to price‑fixing stone crab claws and spiny lobster, avoided jail and was sentenced to five years of probation for violating the Sherman Antitrust Act. Dopico also has a restitution hearing scheduled for April 3, 2026.

Dopico was first indicted by the US Department of Justice in September 2025 for conspiring with competitors to fix seafood prices, as Expana previously reported.

The DOJ alleged that Dopico “knowingly joined and participated in a conspiracy with other persons and entities...

McDonald's Embraces Opulence with the Exclusive McNugget Caviar Kit

TikTok has been instrumental in driving food trends that have captivated social media and permeated everyday culinary experiences. A few years ago, videos emerged showcasing a luxe reinvention of the McDonald's Chicken Nugget, pairing the crispy, tender favorite with the salty, savory decadence of caviar. The intriguing combination has resonated with audiences worldwide, and McDonald's has embraced the trend.

In a bold move, the fast-food giant announces its first-ever McNugget Caviar Kits, featuring Paramount's Baerii caviar, available exclusively on February 10 at McNuggetCaviar.com, not in any McDonald's restaurants.

Gold Star Distribution Recalls Thousands of Products, Including Canned Fish and More Seafood

Thousands of products from Gold Star Distribution have been recalled due to the presence of rodent and avian contamination. The recall, initially made public in December 2025, has garnered added attention as many staple food brands like Cheerios, Pringles and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are included in the lengthy recall.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that a Gold Star facility in Minneapolis was operating under insanitary conditions, including the presence of rodent excreta, rodent urine...

Japan: 2025 Fishery Product Exports Increased 41% in Volume, 22% in Value 

According to trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance, seafood exports in 2025 (fish and shellfish preparations, fish meal) increased 41% year-on-year in volume to 586,308 tons, and increased 22% in value to 353.719 billion yen ($2.312 billion). This marks the first volume increase since 2021 and the first value increase since 2022. Strong demand, a continued weak yen, and rising prices for farmed fish such as yellowtail and scallops are likely to have driven the value to a record high, according to the Minato Shimbun...

Wild Alaska Sole Association Pitches Fit With New US Dietary Guidelines

The Wild Alaska Sole Association said its product, often labeled as Wild Alaska Flounder, fits perfectly with the US’ updated 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines recently unveiled by the Trump administration.

"While food trends are always changing, the research is consistent that fresh, wild seafood provides critical nutrients like omega-3s that are hard to replace with other foods," said Pat Shanahan, executive director of the Wild Alaska Sole Association.

"Wild Alaska Sole is especially approachable. It's mild-tasting, easy to cook, and naturally lean, while providing essential omega-3...

Angry Crab Shack's Mardi Gras Festival Brings Big Easy Spirit and Big Giving to Downtown Chandler

Angry Crab Shack, a leading full-service restaurant renowned for its bold Asian-Cajun seafood boils, is bringing the spirit of New Orleans to the Southwest with its inaugural Mardi Gras Festival on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, in Downtown Chandler, Arizona, featuring a full-day celebration of food, music and community impact. The festival will spotlight pet adoption opportunities and charitable giving, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Boulder Crest Foundation, a nonprofit committed to improving the physical...

ANALYSIS: Official US Shrimp Imports Reveal Product Mix Shift

US Shrimp import data was released on Thursday. Expana’s forecasts largely fell within model error bands; shell‑on volumes were the notable outlier, consistent with the trends previously flagged:

- shell-on below or on the low range

- peeled above, or on the high range; this time, peeled was well within the range.

- cooked and breaded within the range.

The above by‑type outcomes explain why the total came in below some headline expectations. The “by type” breakdown remains essential to understanding market dynamics...

ANALYSIS: Pacific Halibut Hit Record Highs While Atlantic Maintains Seasonal Flow 

The 2026 Pacific halibut season quota has been set at 29.33 million pounds coastwide, marking the lowest total allowable catch in the more than 100 year history of the fishery. U.S. allocations are largely unchanged from 2025, while British Columbia’s quota was reduced by roughly 7 percent as ongoing stock concerns persist. Under the International Pacific Halibut Commission framework, the season is scheduled to run from March 26 through December 7, 2026, continuing the emphasis on conservation and a tightly constrained harvest profile...

Koikoi Trading Recalls FU ZHOU FISH BALL for Undeclared Allergens

The FDA recently published a recall issued by Koikoi Trading inc, the manufacturers of FU ZHOU FISH BALL from the Yaba brand.

According to the alert, these items contain allergens (wheat and sesame) that have not been declared on its packeging. 

These items were distributed through foodservice and e-commerce channels and may have reached consumers in states including CA, WA, OR, NY, FL, TX, NJ, IL, MA, GA, AZ, NV, CO.

Affected products have a 24 month shelf life and include:

• 200g (consumer pack)...

IFFO: Positive Trend for Global Marine Ingredients Production

In Peru, the second fishing season in the North–Centre region has ended with the anchoveta fleet having landed almost all of the 1.63 million metric tonne quota. “This is positive news ; while data still needs to be confirmed for the full year, we expect 2025 to have delivered slightly lower production of both fishmeal and fish oil compared with 2024”, Dr Enrico Bachis, Market Research Director at IFFO commented.

By November 2025, the total cumulative annual fishmeal production* rose by approximately...

SalMar Culls 1.4 Million Juveniles Following Mortality Incident

SalMar has culled roughly 1.4 million juvenile salmon after Norwegian local media reported a mass die-off of 573,776 smolt at one of its land-based facilities.

Local paper Folkebladet first reported the incident and documented the smolt loss, while follow‑up coverage noted that the company moved to cull an additional 1.4 million juvenile salmon, bringing the total impact to roughly 2 million fish.

SalMar has notified the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) on January 14. The paper reported that the incident stemmed from gill problems in various tanks at its...

Kura Sushi USA Partners with Sanrio for Hello Kitty Dining Experience Amid Growth

Kura Sushi USA, Inc., a pioneer of America’s revolving sushi restaurant concept, has announced its third partnership with Sanrio, introducing a Hello Kitty and Friends Bikkura Pon dining experience across all 84 Kura Revolving Sushi Bar locations nationwide.

The limited-time promotion will run from February 1 through February 28.

Under the Bikkura Pon program, customers receive their first prize after completing 15 sushi plates, a second reward after 25 plates, and additional prizes for every 15 plates...

ANALYSIS: US Scallops See Higher Landings and Lower Fuel Costs, Yet Prices Remain Elevated

The domestic scallop market presents a notable contrast as operational conditions show some improvement while pricing remains elevated. Diesel fuel costs have declined through late 2025 and into early 2026, providing some relief to vessel operations amid broader industry challenges. Additionally, domestic landings increased 10.5% in 2025, adding supply to a market that has faced constraints in recent periods.

Despite these developments, domestic scallop prices across categories continue at elevated levels, with U/10s remaining significantly above historical averages and 10/20s tracking...

GSMC 2026: Wells Fargo’s Jansen Says Supply Chain Healthy as Tariffs, Trade Shifts Force Adjustments

Wells Fargo's Jeremy Jansen told Global Seafood Market Conference (GSMC) attendees that the global supply chain is generally healthy, even as tariffs and shifting trade flows prompt buyers and suppliers to adjust their sourcing and financing.

Drawing on the bank's “pressure gauge” of 15 logistics, price, labor and inventory indicators benchmarked to pre‑COVID levels, he said most signals are green: container costs that spiked above $10,000 during COVID are back in the low‑to‑mid thousands, labor tightness at ports and warehouses...

Baja Fresh Debuts Blackened Citrus Menu

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill has introduced its new Blackened Citrus menu, featuring a house-made citrus orange salsa and a trio of new offerings available as a bowl, burrito, or taco combo.

"Our new Blackened Citrus menu items bring together your choice of smoky, seasoned protein with a bright citrus finish to create a bold and balanced flavor," said Logan Reves, vice president of restaurant operations at Baja Fresh. "Baja Fresh remains true to its roots of serving fresh, flavorful food while continuing to innovate, giving customers...

Coast Guard Halts Illegal Use of "Paper Captains" in WA-Based Tuna Fishing Operation

The Coast Guard ceased the use of illegal foreign nationals on a commercial fishing vessel that operated out of the State of Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 19.

A Coast Guard Sector Columbia River law enforcement team inspected an 89-foot fishing vessel and determined that the vessel was in violation of the Jones Act - specifically, they were in violation for utilizing a "paper captain.”

Paper captain is a term applied to an individual listed on documents as a U.S.-flagged vessel's captain but in actuality...

Maruha Nichiro to Raise Home-Use Surimi Prices 2–7% Starting April 1, 2026

Maruha Nichiro, one of the largest seafood companies in the world, announced it will revise shipping prices for its home-use surimi products effective April 1, 2026.

The company said it is facing “severe challenges” due to rising costs across raw materials, labor, fuel, packaging, and logistics. The depreciation of the yen is also a factor.

The price changes will affect the company's surimi products for home consumption, including fish sausage, fish cakes, and other fish paste products. Prices are expected to rise by 2-7%...

Ocean Prime Marks 20 Years with Expansion Plans, New Loyalty Program and Culinary Innovation

Ocean Prime, the fine-dining brand from Cameron Mitchell Restaurants (CMR), is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026 and unveiling ambitious growth plans to extend its footprint across the US and beyond.

Founded in 2006 in Columbus, Ohio, Ocean Prime has grown into a top-tier dining destination known for elevated hospitality, exceptional cuisine, and memorable guest experiences. Despite economic headwinds, the brand continues to thrive, led by a commitment to culinary innovation and a strong associate-first culture...

P.F. Chang's Welcomes its New CMO, Holly Smith 

P.F. Chang's is welcoming its new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Holly Smith, who will drive the brand and the company's market presence.

"I'm thrilled to join P.F. Chang's at such an exciting time in its evolution," said Smith. "This brand holds a special place in the hearts of diners around the world, and I look forward to partnering with the incredibly talented teams to deepen those connections and drive meaningful, long-term growth."

Smith will lead the development and execution of P.F. Chang's marketing strategy, leveraging both creative...

Federal Court Dismisses Mowi Appeal, Upholds Discovery Islands Salmon Farming Ban

Canada's Federal Court of Appeal has dismissed Mowi Canada West's appeal of a 2024 ruling that effectively bans salmon farming in the Discovery Islands region of British Columbia.

The decision upholds a June 2024 federal court ruling that affirmed the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans’ authority to deny aquaculture licences in the Discovery Islands on conservation grounds. Environmental groups and wild salmon advocates hailed the outcome as a major victory.

“This is another tremendous victory for wild salmon," said...

Hilton Foods Cautious on 2026 as Greek Smoked Salmon Export Ban to US Drags On

Hilton Food Group expects its 2025 adjusted profit before tax to land between £72–75 million, in line with earlier guidance, but has warned that ongoing restrictions on smoked salmon exports from its Foppen facility in Greece to the US will persist into at least the first half of 2026, alongside ongoing protein inflation pressures.

In a Jan. 29 trading update, the UK-based multi-protein supplier said net bank debt is set to finish 2025 at roughly £135 million, reflecting recent divestments...

Expana's Weekly Top 10: Key Developments in Weather, Trade, and Market Trends

This week on Expana, headlines brought together a dynamic mix of extreme weather, evolving trade disputes, and shifts across consumer and corporate landscapes. A major winter storm disrupted US infrastructure and supply chains, while new tariff threats reshaped trade flows in seafood, agriculture, and manufacturing. Together, these developments highlight growing pressures across food, commodities, and retail sectors worldwide. Below, Expana presents the top 10 stories influencing markets, trade, and consumer sentiment this week- In no particular order.

10. Winter Storm Grips Much...

GBH News to Premiere New Podcast: Catching The Codfather

GBH News today announced the upcoming premiere of Catching The Codfather, a new podcast from the Peabody Award-winning team behind The Big Dig and Scratch & Win. Catching The Codfather traces the true-crime story of New England fishing tycoon Carlos Rafael, his controversial rise, and the federal sting operation that finally brought him down exactly 10 years ago this month. The six-part limited series, the latest season of GBH News’ The Big Dig™ podcast, is hosted by Ian Coss...

Ocean Harvesters Urges ASMFC to Test ‘Gauntlet’ Theory Before Advancing Chesapeake Menhaden Limits

Ocean Harvesters has called on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Menhaden Management Board to delay new purse seine restrictions in the Chesapeake Bay until the Plan Development Team rigorously tests the “gauntlet” theory underpinning the proposed addendum.

The company says the theory—that Ocean Harvesters’ purse seine fishery in the lower Bay blocks menhaden from reaching Maryland pound nets—has not been adequately examined. “Before the Commission advances restrictions premised on a single, untested narrative, the PDT should rigorously examine what’s...

GC Rieber VivoMega Renews Friend of the Sea Certification

In a significant boost for the blue economy, GC Rieber VivoMega, a global leader in high-end Omega-3 concentrates, has successfully renewed its Friend of the Sea (FOS) certification.

The certification applies to several key species harvested under strict environmental oversight, including European Sardine, Pacific Chub Mackerel, European Anchovy, and Skipjack Tuna. As the nutraceutical industry faces increasing scrutiny over ocean health, GC Rieber VivoMega’s continued adherence to Friend of the Sea standards offers a transparent roadmap for how high-potency health products can coexist with vibrant marine ecosystems...

Norwegian Salmon Leader Mowi Launches Processing Facility to Serve Thailand Market

Norwegian salmon farming giant Mowi opened its first processing plant in Thailand this week, according to Åshild Nakken, the Norwegian Seafood Council's director for Southeast Asia.

The facility was built alongside the largest salmon importer and retailer in Thailand, CP Axtra, according to Nakken’s LinkedIn post. The partnership will see Mowi supply salmon products to CP’s customers through its retail chains and the foodservice sector.

“Today marks a meaningful step forward, not only for Mowi and CP Axtra but also for the future of...

Ode Scores Milestone as Top Cod Supplier in Norway, Acquires 3 Farming Sites

Norwegian cod farmer Ode, after celebrating its spot as the top supplier of cod out of Norway in 2025, announced a deal to acquire three farming sites from Vesterålen Havbruk, it announced on January 27.

Ode said the sites Apalset, Stokkeneset, and Rekvika previously belonged to the listed company Statt Torsk and became part of Vesterålen Havbruk following the 2024 merger. Since 2024, the Rekvika site has been operated jointly by the Ode and Vesterålen Havbruk, while the other two sites...

Russia Plans Major 2026 Catch Increases for Crab, Fish Species

Russia plans to significantly raise total allowable catch quotas for specific fish species and crabs in 2026, based on data from recent scientific expeditions.

Rosrybolovstvo reports that greenling quotas in the North Kuril subzone will increase by 54.1% to 18,500 tons. Cod quotas in the South Kuril subzone are set to grow by 8.7%, while whelk quotas in the North Okhotsk subzone will rise by 19%.

Crab quotas will also see increases due to significant stock growth. Kamchatka crab catch limits in the West Sakhalin subzone...

GOMSO 1,000-Year JOTGAL Launches “Kkini-Kkini,” a Single-Serve Korean Fermented Seafood Brand

GOMSO 1,000-year JOTGAL has introduced "Kkini-Kkini," a new brand that translates to "each and every meal" in Korean. This product offers a single-serve portion of Jeotgal, a traditional Korean fermented seafood.

"Our goal is to position our products as a versatile K-Superfood that adds healthy depth to any global cuisine," said a spokesperson for GOMSO 1,000-year JOTGAL. "By introducing this portable Korean traditional fermented seafood to the international market, GOMSO 1,000-year JOTGAL...