Welcome to Open Tab, your weekly digest of food industry news, gossip, and the stories I can't stop thinking about. Last week: the unfolding drama at Los Angeles restaurant Horses.

Historic explorers subsisted on hardtack, salted meat, and dried peas during their voyages—a monotonous diet that frequently led to scurvy and malnutrition. Modern space travelers face equally demanding preservation constraints, but their culinary options have evolved dramatically. Case in point: the Artemis II mission, which launched this week as the first crewed lunar orbit since 1972, carries an unexpectedly eclectic pantry including five varieties of hot sauce, tortillas, barbecued beef brisket, and a mysteriously labeled "vanilla breakfast drink."

This week's roundup also examines developments in the David Protein lawsuit, the potential restaurant industry impact of Sysco's massive acquisition, and Burlap & Barrel's legal challenge to the Trump administration. First, though, a quick win: Reese's parent company Hershey has reversed its controversial recipe change following widespread consumer backlash—which I documented here. Coincidence? You decide.

Space food has come a long way from freeze-dried ice cream

Artemis II lifted off from Florida on the evening of April 1 following months of meticulous preparation, including detailed menu planning for the 10-day mission. NASA gave crew members significant input on their orbital dining experience. "Crew members sample, evaluate, and rate all foods on the standard menu during preflight testing, and their preferences are balanced with nutritional requirements and what [the spacecraft] can accommodate," NASA explains on its website.

The mission manifest includes those five hot sauces alongside spicy green beans, barbecued beef brisket, and the enigmatic pineapple drink. In total, 189 distinct menu items made the cut, each specially engineered and packaged for zero-gravity consumption. The astronauts will also work through exactly 58 tortillas over their journey—a curiously precise allocation.

A $29 billion deal reshapes restaurant supply chains

Sysco, already the dominant force in restaurant and foodservice distribution, has acquired Restaurant Depot for $29.1 billion. Restaurant Depot primarily serves independent restaurants, making this consolidation particularly significant. The merger unites two industry giants in a transaction that will almost certainly face antitrust scrutiny given the combined entity's market power.

The bottom line: if this deal closes in 2027, independent restaurants face serious trouble. Food costs will climb, squeezing already razor-thin margins and likely forcing price increases onto diners. A $55 roast chicken isn't exactly accessible, and watching beloved neighborhood spots shutter isn't an option anyone wants. Maybe it's time to contact your representatives.

David Protein lawsuit quietly dismissed

The class action lawsuit against David Protein—maker of those viral protein bars and cod products—has been dropped without explanation. Filed weeks ago, the suit alleged the company dramatically misrepresented nutritional information, claiming products contained 400% more fat and 80% more calories than labeled.

Social media erupted with speculation, and founder Peter Rahal defended the brand on X, fueling further intrigue. Now the case has been withdrawn with no public statement. Whether a settlement was reached behind closed doors or the claims simply didn't hold up remains unclear.

Burlap & Barrel takes on tariffs in court

Tariffs continue hammering the food industry. Restaurant operating costs remain elevated, while wine and spirits businesses struggle under the pressure. Spice importer Burlap & Barrel is fighting back legally, with its cofounders announcing a lawsuit against the Trump administration. Their statement invokes the Boston Tea Party's protest against King George's tariffs, adding: "Don't worry, the only body of water we'll be throwing spices is a pot of soup."