Both restaurant operators and consumers are providing mounting evidence that the end of the industry’s downturn could be near.

The latest Consumer Price Index from the federal government showed that price inflation rose faster for food away from home as compared with food at home, a trend that could push more consumers away from restaurants and toward grocery stores.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has advised consumers to stop eating raw alfalfa sprouts and blends containing them until further notice because of possible salmonella Saintpaul contamination.

U.S. pork producers on Sunday began publicly working to reassure consumers about the safety of their product as the number of confirmed cases of swine flu in the United States and abroad continued to grow.

Trying to counter damage caused by a YouTube.com video of employees contaminating food at a franchised Domino’s restaurant, the chain’s USA president Patrick Doyle himself posted a video that tries to reassure consumers that the incident was isolated and is being taken seriously by the company.

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Efforts to better protect consumers from dangerous foodborne pathogens, including E. coli O157:H7 and salmonella, have virtually stalled, federal officials said. They also noted that the estimated number of infections from targeted pathogens in 2008 showed no significant change compared with the past three years.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. said Wednesday it is testing a revamped menu at its Denver-area stores that highlights smaller, lower-priced items, suggested dishes for $6 and kids’ meals. Company officials said the new menu is designed to help customers order more easily, but analysts also noted it may help consumers get over the sticker shock of the chain’s recent price increases.

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As consumers spend less time in restaurants and more time dining at home, more foodservice operators are meeting them halfway between — in the grocery aisle.

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Looking to lure economy-weary consumers, El Pollo Loco on Sunday launched a new Family Stimulus Plan offering deep discounts on three meal options for a limited time.

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