The Biggest Food News of 2024

The CDC Declared This Vegetable to Be the Healthiest — and It Just May Surprise You

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) let us all in on a little secret: Watercress is the ultimate superfood. The agency unveiled its list of the most nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables, with watercress topping the list thanks to its impressive levels of vitamins K, A, and C. So go ahead and add some of this leafy green to your sandwiches, salads, and more in 2025.

Only 6 Cinnamon Brands Were Deemed Safe for Consumption, According to an Investigation by Consumer Reports

In terrible news for cinnamon-lovers, Consumer Reports revealed in September that many popular cinnamon brands contain unsafe levels of lead. Its investigation detailed that the worst offenders were Paras cinnamon powder, EGN cinnamon powder, and Mimi’s Products ground cinnamon, while the safest options were 365 Whole Food Market organic ground cinnamon, Loisa organic cinnamon, and Morton & Bassett San Francisco 100% organic ground cinnamon.

More Than 4 Million Eggs Were Part of a Class 1 Recall by the FDA

Eggs were the focus of a lot of headlines in 2024, usually due to the rising cost of a dozen, but in October a nationwide recall of over 4 million eggs put this ingredient in the spotlight for a different reason. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designated the recall as “Class 1,” its most severe designation, due to concerns over possible salmonella contamination. Luckily the threat ended quickly, and we were all able to return to making our omelets in peace.

Aldi Is Getting Rid of Scanners, Cashiers, and Checkout Lines With the Help of AI

Aldi shook up its shopping experience by introducing AI-powered, checkout-free technology. Dubbed “ALDIgo,” the system allows shoppers to add items to their carts and walk out without stopping to scan or pay at a register. So far the new technology has only been introduced at one Aldi location in Chicago, but it sounds so convenient we’re hoping to see it at more stores in 2025.

Nearly 80,000 Pounds of Butter Sold at Costco Were Recalled

Costco made headlines with a Class II recall of nearly 80,000 pounds of its Kirkland Signature Butter due to an undeclared allergen. While not as urgent as a Class I recall, this headline had Costco shoppers scrambling to check their purchases. But this one was a bit of a head scratcher for readers and consumers alike, as the butter was recalled because it was missing a “Contains Milk” allergy statement on the packaging. Still, it ran afoul of the law, thus requiring a recall.

These Are the 12 Most Contaminated Fruits and Vegetables, Ranked

The annual “Dirty Dozen” list by the Environmental Working Group once again drew a ton of interest as it highlighted produce with the highest levels of pesticide residues. According to this year’s list, strawberries, spinach, and kale were shown to have the greatest amount of pesticides present. The report encouraged consumers to be mindful of their produce choices, choose organic options whenever possible, and of course aways wash fruits and vegetables.

Wendy’s Planned to Introduce Uber-Style Surge Pricing

Wendy’s didn’t mean to make major waves when its CEO Kirk Tanner dropped a hint that it would soon implement dynamic pricing via its digital menu boards. Tanner stated on a call with analysts that, “Beginning as early as 2025, we will begin testing more enhanced features like dynamic pricing and daypart offerings along with AI-enabled menu changes and suggestive selling.”

The response to these remarks was immediately negative, as customers were upset that prices would change throughout the day. But after public outcry, the brand explained that it wouldn’t be raising prices — instead it would only discount some offerings during slower periods.

California Became the First State to Ban Sell-By Dates

California made a significant change for grocery shoppers when it banned the use of sell-by dates in late September. The new law — which won’t take effect until 2026 — aims to combat food waste, as sell-by dates are not meant to be consumer-facing, and do not accurately indicate the last day that food is safe to consume. California’s decision also gained national attention, with the FDA announcing earlier this month that it’s working to simplify and streamline food date labels to minimize customer confusion.

The McDonald’s McRib Is Officially Back for a Limited Time

The year wouldn’t be complete without a fast-food comeback, and 2024 delivered: The McRib returned to McDonald’s at the end of November, sending fans into a festive frenzy. The barbecue-slathered pork sandwich remains a fan favorite, even though — or likely because — it’s only ever offered for a limited time. While the McRib will likely be available through the end of December, there has been no official announcement on how long it’s here for, so make sure to snag one while you can.

The FDA Initiated a Class III Recall on More Than 150,000 Bottles of Water

In yet another reminder that even seemingly unshakeable products can face safety issues, the FDA initiated a Class III recall on over 150,000 bottles of water this fall. The recall was linked to concerns about coliform bacteria. While Class III recalls are considered lower in urgency, health concerns were great enough to prompt the FDA to ask retailers to pull bottles off shelves,