It's the final days of the year, which means we're all inundated with countless "Top XX of the Year" lists. To that I say, embrace it. Even in such a tumultuous year as 2020, it's always worth taking a look back at the year that was.
Here's a look back at the top 20 most-read or watched news items published by Food Manufacturing during 2020. News involving recalls, accidents, major safety incidents and general death & destruction expectedly populate this list, while impacts from COVID-19 frequent it as well.
1. Recalled Onions Linked to Nearly 400 Illnesses - published Aug. 3
2. Costco Drops Coconut Milk Brand After Alleged Monkey Labor - published Nov. 4
3. BBQ Lay's Recalled in Western States - published Aug. 25
4. CANPACK to Build Large Beverage Can Factory in Northeast Pennslyvania - published July 16
5. Survey: 85% of Americans Have Changed What They Eat During Pandemic - published June 10
6. Conagra Brands Giving Production & Distribution Employees Cash Bonus - published March 27
7. 3 Meat Plants Shut Down Following Worker Infections - published April 7
8. Tyson Closes Its Largest Pork Plant - published April 22
9. Oreo Cookie Factory in Danger of Closing - published Nov. 19
10. Jelly Belly Founder Launches Golden Ticket Game - published Sept. 10
11. Hormel Giving Plant Workers $7 Million in Bonuses - published April 23
12. PepsiCo to Distribute Bang Energy Drinks - published April 28
13. Country Fresh Expands Walmart Fruit Recall - published Oct. 5
14. FDA Shuts Down Home Style Foods - published Jan. 15
15. Ball Corp. Investing $300M in New Northeast Pennsylvania Canning Plant - published Sept. 8
16. Outbreak at Iowa Tyson Plant Was Far Worse Than State Reported - published June 22
17. Woman Dies in Raisin Processing Equipment - published Jan. 28
18. Beyond Meat to Begin China Production Later This Year - published Sept. 8
19. Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben's Retired - published June 17
20. Worker Dies in Accident at Smithfield Foods - published Dec. 18
Here's to 2021: May its top 20 news items bring far less negative headlines than this past year did.
