Every year brings new food trends, major restaurant openings and memorable events that shape the industry. Foodies are particularly attuned to changes that affect what they cook at home, but also to greater shifts in food policy and culture that impact restaurants. This 2024 was no exception, with a series of notable developments.
For example, the Boar’s Head listeria recall prompted widespread concern about deli meat safety and was a reminder that the public may be less than enthusiastic about eating lab-grown fish. Similarly, Costco’s Class II recall of Kirkland Signature butter because of an undeclared allergen shook grocery stores and highlighted consumer concerns about labelling rules.
In addition to written news, television has become another significant vehicle for food journalism. Chef and author Anthony Bourdain is widely credited with popularizing the genre with his show Parts Unknown. The TV series follows the host travelling to countries around the globe, introducing the public to their cuisine and culinary traditions.
Newspapers have long included food news, starting with the introduction of women’s pages in the 1880s. The section was an opportunity for editors to reach female audiences and showcase products that would appeal to them. After World War II, food coverage expanded to include restaurant reviews, profiles of emerging chefs and cooks, new products, and nutritional studies. Today, social media platforms make it easier for consumers to create and consume informal food news through posts about recipes or “what I eat in a day” videos.