The financial standing of the United States seems to be teetering on a precipice that is at the mercy of stubborn inflation, tariff threats and recession fears, according to one economist.

Mary Ellen Adcock, The Kroger Co.’s senior vice president of operations since 2019, began her new role as chief merchandising and marketing officer at the start of 2025.

Additional issues may arise surrounding food waste and the ethics of labeling certain lifesaving foods as ultra-processed foods, said Susanne Gjedsted Bügel, PhD, head of section Nutrition and Health at the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports at the University of Copenhagen.