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Food safety expectations continue to evolve as regulators move toward more science-based approaches to managing risk. While these efforts aim to improve public health outcomes, they also highlight an ongoing challenge for food businesses: meeting increasing expectations while navigating complex and sometimes unclear implementation requirements. For many companies, the issue is not just understanding changing standards but having internal systems and capacity to apply them con

The evidence has been building for some time. A couple years ago, Food Enterprise Solutions was working with a portfolio of growing food businesses in Senegal, small and medium enterprises producing everything from baby foods and fruit juices to fresh vegetables and frozen produce. Alongside improving their food handling and safety practices, we set out to answer a question that matters enormously to food businesses across the region: could these companies attract formal inve

For decades, much of U.S. foreign assistance has relied on large implementing organizations and traditional project-based delivery models. While these approaches have produced important results, they often operate through complex institutional structures that can limit how much investment and opportunity ultimately reaches local businesses and entrepreneurs. A growing body of experience suggests that business-to-business (B2B) engagement—particularly through U.S. small and me

For many growing food businesses, food safety is often viewed primarily as a compliance requirement. The experience of companies participating in the five-year FES project “Business Drivers for Food Safety” (BD4FS), however, shows that structured food safety systems function as far more than regulatory safeguards. When implemented strategically, they become drivers of operational efficiency, commercial credibility, and long-term growth. Across participating businesses, FES di

For growing food businesses, access to new markets depends on more than increasing production. Buyers expect consistency, documentation, and clear food safety practices that demonstrate reliability. Without these foundations, even high-quality products can struggle to meet formal market expectations. The experience of companies participating in the FES designed and implemented Business Drivers for Food Safety (BD4FS) project shows that structured food safety systems are essen

As the global food system becomes increasingly integrated and complex, it’s essential that companies embrace food safety not only in their domestic market but also for export. Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in particular face greater challenges when trying to export to lucrative yet strict markets like the UK and the U.S. These companies are the main customers for FES training and technical assistance services we offer globally.   FES worked diligently with over 6,000 SME

The recent one-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) through 2028 creates a timely opportunity for small and medium-sized food and agriculture businesses in both the United States and Africa. Signed into law on February 3, 2026, after the agreement expired on September 30, 2025, this extension, while shorter than the proposed 16-year renewal, provides a near-term opportunity for enterprises seeking to build or expand trans-Atlantic trade relationship

Food safety has always been essential. Today, it is also a core driver of market access, buyer trust, and business growth. As we discussed in our recent article on the evolving rules of food safety in global markets , expectations are shifting beyond basic compliance toward systems that demonstrate transparency, traceability, and continuous control across supply chains. As markets grow more complex and standards continue to rise, food enterprises need food safety systems that

For food companies expanding into global markets, food safety is no longer just a requirement at the border – it needs to be integrated across the supply chain to be effective in protecting commercial interests as well as consumers. The World Economic Forum’s report The Food Rules: How Regulation Is Transforming the Future of Food arrives at a moment when trade, regulation, and trust are under growing pressure for systematic, yet practical, change that responds to the needs

By Russ Webster and Roberta Lauretti-Bernhard   The African Development Bank projects that the continent’s food and agriculture market could grow from about $280 billion annually to $1 trillion by 2030. (African Development Bank, Ten-Year Strategy 2024–2033). In other sectors as well, increased population, urbanization, and global trade are creating opportunity for African entrepreneurs, who are responding in force.   The stories shared in How We Made It In Africa point to a

The meat and poultry industry is shifting toward a future where food safety focuses on prevention and proactive measures. While recent years have included high profile recalls, regulators and industry leaders are using these events to strengthen oversight, improve detection, and reduce risk across the food supply chain.  A recent Meat + Poultry article highlights how the U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing in expanded testing capabilities, improved inspection resourc

Over the past decade, food imports have increased in both volume and importance, reshaping the U.S. food supply and food safety oversight. Imported foods now account for roughly 17 percent of U.S. consumption, up from about 13–14 percent a decade ago, driven by globalization, consumer demand, and year-round product availability. While recent and proposed tariff measures may introduce short-term volatility in prices and sourcing for some food categories, they have not reversed

Confidence in the U.S. food system is slipping at a moment when safety, transparency, and trust have never been more important. According to the 2025 IFIC Food and Health Survey, only 55 percent of U.S. adults feel very or somewhat confident in the food supply, down from 62 percent in 2024. Consumers point to concerns that profit is prioritized over safety, that the system is fragmented, and that frequent recalls continue to erode trust. ( International Food Information Counc

In the recent article “The ROI of Food Safety: From Compliance Cost to Strategic Investment in 2026,” a clear shift emerges in how food safety is understood across the global food and beverage sector. Rather than being viewed solely as a regulatory requirement or cost of doing business, food safety is increasingly recognized as a strategic investment that protects value, reduces risk, and supports long-term success.  This shift closely aligns with the work of Food Enterprise

Agriculture is entering a new era. Around the world, food systems are changing fast as markets respond to new consumer expectations, rising costs, and the growing need for sustainability. According to recent analysis from the Ahar Group, global agricultural markets in 2025 are being shaped by powerful forces: economic volatility, climate pressure, evolving trade flows, and the increasing importance of food safety and transparency.  ( Ahar Group )  At Food Enterprise Solution

As the Africa's Business Heroes Summit prepares for its seventh annual gathering in Kigali, the spotlight is turning toward entrepreneurs who are reshaping Africa’s future through innovation, determination, and community-focused leadership. Among this year’s top finalists is Le Lionceau , a Senegalese nutrition enterprise founded by Siny Samba , whose work is creating meaningful change for families, farmers, and food systems across West Africa.  For FES, stories like hers ref

Across the world, conversations about food, health, and sustainability are intensifying, and November has become a pivotal moment in that dialogue. As new global reports emphasize the connection between agriculture, nutrition, and climate resilience, organizations like Food Enterprise Solutions (FES)  are showing what it looks like to turn global goals into practical, enterprise-driven solutions.  A Critical Time for Food Enterprises   The challenges facing food systems are l

The Women in Supply Chain Forum , taking place November 18–20, 2025, in Clearwater, Florida, celebrates the women who are shaping the future of supply chains. This event brings together leaders from logistics, operations, and business innovation under the theme “Women on the Rise: Strengthening Leadership Pipelines.”   At Food Enterprise Solutions (FES) , we recognize that empowering women throughout the supply chain is critical to building more resilient and equitable food s

American inspections of foreign food facilities have fallen to historic lows. Budget cuts under the Trump administration reduced the number of inspections for facilities that produce everything from crawfish to cookies for the U.S. market. This decline weakens both U.S. and global food safety and increases the risk of outbreaks. Foreign products have been increasingly linked to outbreaks of foodborne illness. In recent years, FDA investigators have uncovered disturbing lapses

It was an energizing day recently at GWU with Food Tank and the Global Food Institute, exploring how policy, innovation, and entrepreneurship intersect to strengthen our food system. The insights shared reaffirmed why FES’s mission—to help food businesses grow responsibly and deliver safer, healthier food—is more relevant than ever.     Why This Matters to FES      Food Enterprise Solutions (FES) participated in the 1st Annual Food and Agriculture Policy Summit, co-hosted by