The Food Institute Report articles from January 2003

The Food Institute Report archives from January 2003

2002 was most successful year for new product introductions since 1995.(Industry Overview)
January 6, 2003... In 2002, the number of new product introductions exceeded 22,000, up 15% over 2001, making it the most successful year for new product introductions since 1995, according to Mintel's Global New Products Database. Confectionery was the strongest...

U.S. sees a decline in merger & acquisition activity in 2002.(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... The number of global announced mergers dropped nearly 17% to 24,994 transactions, while their value declined 28% to $1.2 trillion. The totals are a mere one-third of the $3.4 trillion raised in 2000, according to final data from Thomson...

Latin American fast food chains to expand into U.S.(they include Pollo Campero of Guatemala and Churromania International of Venezuela)
January 6, 2003... Some of the best-known Latin American fast-food chains from Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela are planning to expand in the U.S. market, often with U.S. franchisees, reported The Wall Street Journal (Jan. 2). Previously, Latin American...

Payments with plastic becoming more attractive to fast food eateries.
January 6, 2003... Improvements in technology and lower transaction fees are making credit and debit card payment options more attractive to fast food eateries, which have generally resisted these forms of payment because they were concerned such transactions...

McDonald's pulls plug on networking initiative.(restaurant company wants to focus on near-term benefits)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... In order to cut costs, McDonald's Corp. has pulled the plug on a major networking initiative to link its restaurants, headquarters and vendors, reported The Wall Street Journal (Jan. 3). The project, called "Innovate," was ended in order to...

Mountain region expected to lead nation in eating-place-sales growth in 2003.
January 6, 2003... During the last several years, regional growth in the restaurant industry has been strongest in the regions of the U.S. with the fastest-growing economies, specifically the South and the West. In 2003, that trend is expected to continue, with...

Few American families eat recommended five daily fruit and vegetable servings.
January 6, 2003... Only 13% of American families eat the recommended minimum of five daily servings of fruits and vegetables, compared to 22% of singles, 27% of empty nesters and 39% of the elderly, according to a study released by the Produce for Better Health...

November "real" sales: small gain in "real" grocery store sales ...
January 6, 2003... For the second consecutive month, grocery stores posted a slight gain in "real" sales during November. On a cumulative basis, grocery store "real" sales are now slightly above 2001. Grocery store real sales estimates are derived by...

Burger King Corp.(will lower the price of its Whopper hamburger to 99 cents during the period January 3, 2003 and January 20, 2003)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... * Burger King Corp. will sell its flagship Whopper hamburger for 99 cents between Jan. 3 and Jan. 20. Bradley Blum, recently hired away from Darden Restaurants Inc. to become the chief executive at Burger King, has said he is opposed to price...

J.M. Smucker Co.(will build plant in Kentucky to make line of frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... * J.M. Smucker Co. plans to build a $51 million plant in Scottsville, KY to make Uncrustables, Smucker's line of frozen peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The product is available in half of the country, including all Kroger stores. The...

Fresh Brands, the parent of Piggly Wiggly Supermarkets, launched an expanded selection of natural and organic products at its flagship store in Sheboygan, WI, in December.(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... * Fresh Brands, the parent of Piggly Wiggly Supermarkets, launched an expanded selection of natural and organic products at its flagship store in Sheboygan, WI, in December. The supermarket operator is rolling out the natural/organic...

Papa John.(will introduce dessert product calls Papa's Cinnapie)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... * Papa John's will roll out systemwide a new dessert, Papa's Cinnapie, an oven-baked cinnamon pie in a six-inch pan crust, covered with glazed frosting. The launch will be supported by a nationwide promotion. The product will be available for...

Rastelli's Fine Foods.(begins building 36,000 sq ft plant in Logan Township, NJ)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... * Deptford, NJ-based Rastelli's Fine Foods broke ground on a new 36,000-sq. ft. food manufacturing plant in Logan Township, NJ. Privately held Rastelli's processes, packages and distributes a wide variety of food items, specializing in portion...

The Super Mercado Mexico.(will introduce specialty sections including a bakery and a tequila bar)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... * The Super Mercado Mexico in Fresno, CA will be adding specialty sections including: a taqueria or taco bar, a tequila bar, a panaderia (bakery), tortilleria (tortilla stand) and a Mexican deli sporting antojitos Mexicanos (little Mexican...

America West Airlines will sell food to passengers in the coach sections of some flights in a three-week test starting Jan. 6, as a way to offer the service without raising fares.(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... * America West Airlines will sell food to passengers in the coach sections of some flights in a three-week test starting Jan. 6, as a way to offer the service without raising fares. The America West Holdings Corp. unit will offer food ranging...

Chiquita Brands International cut off subsidies for a money-losing division in Panama because union leaders there rejected a proposal allowing the operation to be sold to a worker-owned cooperative.(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... * Chiquita Brands International cut off subsidies for a money-losing division in Panama because union leaders there rejected a proposal allowing the operation to be sold to a worker-owned cooperative. Chiquita said Puerto Armuelles Fruit Co....

Safeway's experiment with a private-label bank in its grocery stores is coming to an end.(Safeway Select Bank will close its kiosks and in-store branches)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... * Safeway's experiment with a private-label bank in its grocery stores is coming to an end. Safeway Select Bank is closing the kiosks and in-store branches for a bank that, just nine months ago, had announced ambitious expansion plans to have...

Production and storage problems have brewers and malt makers worried about their barley supplies and that has helped boost prices for farmers.(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... * Production and storage problems have brewers and malt makers worried about their barley supplies and that has helped boost prices for farmers. Last year's barley crop nationwide, at 227 million bushels, was the smallest since 1937, according...

Domino's Pizza.(is launching new product Domino's Dots)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... * Domino's Pizza is introducing Domino's Dots, dots of dough that are smothered with a gooey cinnamon and sugar sauce, baked and then topped with more cinnamon and served with a sweet vanilla icing.

Montana Mills Bread Co.(to open franchises in Washington, DC, area starting in 2004)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... * Montana Mills Bread Co. will open the first of up to seven franchises in the Washington, DC, area some time next year. These will be the first Montana Mills stores not owned by the Rochester, NY-based company, which has 31 stores in New York,...

Tasty Baking Co.(shuts down twelve thrift stores)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... * Saying it needs a new recipe for profits, Tasty Baking Co. has closed its 12 thrift stores, while several high-level executives, including the chairman, departed the company. The Philadelphia, PA-based company expects to report a...

Kroger Co.(tests finger imaging as payment method)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... * Kroger Co. is testing finger imaging as a method of payment in three of its Texas stores. A machine scans the index finger, matching the customer's unique fingerprint with the individual's account. Customers can register for the voluntary...

Sara Lee Corp.(will shut down plant in Huntsville, AL, by end-February 2003)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... * Sara Lee Corp. will close its Huntsville, AL plant by the end of February and its Eau Claire, WI plant by the end of March. The bakeries, which were acquired through the purchase of Earthgrains Co., make hamburger and hot dog buns... The...

Mocha Roca, a confection nearly a year in the making, will launch at 3,400 Starbucks stores nationwide on Jan. 8.(manufacturer is Brown & Haley)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... Mocha Roca, a confection nearly a year in the making, will launch at 3,400 Starbucks stores nationwide on Jan. 8. Brown & Haley, a Tacoma, WA-based candy firm, manufactures Mocha Roca and will sell it exclusively to Starbucks for at least nine...

Mergers & acquisitions.(transactions by Eateries, Flowers Foods, Givaudan and others)
January 6, 2003... Eateries, Inc. has sold its nine Arizona Garcia's Mexican Restaurants to Fiesta L.L.C. The deal also includes franchise rights for six franchised Garcia's operating in six states and the "Garcia's" and "Garcia's Mexican Restaurant" trademarks....

International mergers & acquisitions.(Panamerican Beverages is bought by Mexico's Coca-Cola Femsa)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... Mexico's largest Coke bottler, Coca-Cola Femsa, Monterrey, Mexico, has bought Latin America's largest soft drink bottler, Panamerican Beverages, or Panamco, for an estimated $2.72 billion, plus the assumption of $880 million of debt. The...

Latest financial reports (000 omitted).(for Atlantic Premium Brands, Leading Brands and Star Buffet)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (000 omitted) Current % Chg. Year Year Ago ATLANTIC PREMIUM BRANDS, LTD. (Northbrook, IL) Qtr. To Sept. 30: Sales ...

Airport vendor security threat is a looming concern ... (Washington).(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... There are presently no regulations intact to enforce qualification criteria for airport vendors--such as food and retail concession firms, in-flight providers or rental car companies, reported Access Control & Security Systems (Dec. 30). This...

... As are security checks for truckers, port workers. (Washington).(security screening of truckers and longshoremen could cause major disruptions in port operations and shipping firms)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... Despite government officials. call for rigorous federal background checks of longshoreman and truckers, not a single trucker or longshoreman has been screened--and none is likely to be for at least another year--as union officials worry the...

Customs rules to fight terrorism may create container delays from Hong Kong. (Washington).(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... The port of Hong Kong seems unprepared to comply with new U.S. Customs rules to combat terrorism, which could lead to costly delays for many goods headed to the U.S., as it is the global leader in shipping containers to the U.S., noted The Wall...

U.S. poultry producers offer tariff compromise with Mexico. (Washington).(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... In an attempt to preserve sales to their third-largest market, U.S. poultry producers offered to continue paying tariffs on exports to Mexico, noted The Washington Times (Dec. 31). On Jan. 1, 2003, tariffs on several goods fell to zero under...

StarLink found in U.S. corn shipment bound for Japan. (Washington).
January 6, 2003... Trace amounts of StarLink have been detected in a U.S. corn shipment destined for Tokyo's food supply, Japan's Agriculture Ministry said on Dec. 27. StarLink is not permitted for human consumption or for livestock feed in Japan, the world's top...

"Dolphin-safe" tuna restrictions eased. (Washington).(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... In a measure that paves the way for Mexico and Ecuador to ship tuna to the U.S., the Commerce Department's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) ruled that tuna caught by encircling dolphins may immediately be imported into the U.S. and...

Federal judge rules in Wal-Mart's favor in Supermercados Amigo deal. (Washington).(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... The Puerto Rican government had no right to block Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s $225 million acquisition of the Supermercados Amigo chain, a federal judge has ruled, noted The State (Dec. 27). Puerto Rico's justice department argued that the...

PepsiCo loses bid to revive Coke lawsuit. (Washington).(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... PepsiCo Inc., the No. 2 soft-drink maker, failed in its effort to resurrect a lawsuit that alleged Atlanta, GA-based Coca-Cola committed antitrust violations by prohibiting its independent distributors--which supply restaurant and movie theater...

Nutritional food labeling to become mandatory in Canada. (Washington).(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... Consumers in Canada will see more information about the nutritional value of most pre-packaged food under new labeling requirements that were announced at a news conference on Jan. 1, noted Canada.com (Jan. 2). Packaged food products will be...

EPA direct final rule on tolerance exemptions for pesticide chemicals. (Washington).
January 6, 2003... The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a direct final rule that would move, from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations to EPA regulations, the list of pesticide chemicals that are exempt from the requirement of a...

Food recalls reported. (Washington).(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... Sara Lee Bakery Group, St. Louis, MO, is voluntarily recalling specifically coded 40-oz. frozen pies, labeled Sara Lee Signature Selections Fruits of the Forest Pie. The pies were distributed to retail grocery stores nationwide. Reason for...

You should know ....(food industry news briefs)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... ... Canada announced a two-week ban on poultry and poultry products from California because of fears that the exotic Newcastle virus could infect its flocks, noted The Modesto Bee (Jan. 3). Mexico, the top export market for the state's $3...

Pistachios. (Noted In The Federal Register).(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... PISTACHIOS: The Department of Commerce has issued a notice of the final results in the antidumping duty new shipper review of certain in-shell raw pistachios from Iran. On Aug. 6, 2002, the Department published the preliminary results of a new...

Mangoes. (Noted In The Federal Register).(USDA proposes to amend the Plant Protection and Quarantine Treatment Manual)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... MANGOES: USDA is proposing to amend the Plant Protection and Quarantine Treatment Manual, which is incorporated by reference into the Code of Federal Regulations, by amending the hot water dip treatment schedule for rounded varieties of mangoes...

Food Stamp Program. (Noted In The Federal Register).(USDA's Food and Nutrition Service revises its Food Stamp Program Application for Stores)(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... FOOD STAMP PROGRAM: USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has revised its Food Stamp Program Application for Stores, Form FNS-252, the application for retailers who wish to participate in the Food Stamp Program. The form was revised to...

Tuberculosis in Cattle and Bison. (Noted In The Federal Register).(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE AND BISON: In an interim rule amending the bovine tuberculosis regulations to classify the state of Texas as modified accredited advanced, USDA has delayed the date for compliance with certain identification and...

Food labeling regulations. (Noted In The Federal Register).(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... FOOD LABELING REGULATIONS: FDA is establishing Jan. 1, 2006, as the uniform compliance date for food labeling regulations that are issued between Jan. 1, 2003 and Dec. 31, 2004. FDA periodically announces uniform compliance dates for new food...

Livestock/meat industry claims. (Noted In The Federal Register).(Brief Article)
January 6, 2003... LIVESTOCK/MEAT INDUSTRY CLAIMS: USDA has issued proposed minimum requirements for livestock and meat industry production/marketing claims that, when adopted, will become the U.S. Standards for Livestock and Meat Marketing Claims. Some segments...

Produce. (Markets).(Illustration)
January 6, 2003... AVOCADOS--There are plenty of avocados to fill the guacamole demand for Super Bowl Sunday despite the quarantine. The California industry estimates there are about 70 million pounds of fruit in the area under quarantine in San Diego County to...

Canned vegetables. (Markets).(Illustration)
January 6, 2003... Attending the Northwest Food Manufacturing & Packaging Exposition this year in Seattle? Why not stop by booth 2035 and visit the Food Institute. Representing the Food Institute will be V.P. of Business Development--Jim Gawley and Managing...

Tomato products. (Markets).(Illustration)
January 6, 2003... ***USDA OFFERS TO BUY*** CANNED TOMATO PRODUCTS *Deliveries between Mar. 1. 2003 - June 30. 2003* 6/10 Grade Cases Spaghetti Sauce...

Frozen vegetables. (Markets).(Illustration)
January 6, 2003... Attending the Northwest Food Manufacturing & Packaging Exposition this year in Seattle? Why not stop by booth 2035 and visit the Food Institute. Representing the Food Institute will be V.P. of Business Development--Jim Gawley and Managing...

Canned fruits. (Markets).(Illustration)
January 6, 2003... OLIVES--California growers have assessed themselves $250,000 dollars for research in the fight against the Olive fruit fly. Since it was discovered in California in 1998, the fly has spread throughout the state. The money will be matched by a...

Processed fish. (Markets).(Illustration)
January 6, 2003... CRAB--After weeks of tense negotiations, U.S. West Coast Dungeness crabbers and processors have come to an agreement on pricing. Crab fishermen settled for $1.40 a pound, which is about a quarter less than the opening price paid last season and...

Dried vegetables. (Markets).(Illustration)
January 6, 2003... ***KANSAS CITY COMMODITY OFFER *** *Shipments between Feb. I-IS and Feb. 16-28, 2003 Metric Tons Product Destination Pack Size Quantity Black Beans Guatemala 50 K 420...

Dried fruits. (Markets).(Illustration)
January 6, 2003... U.S. IMPORTS OF DRIED FRUITS JAN. 1 - NOV. 1, 2002 (Source: Bureau of Census) In Pounds 2002 2001 % Chge. Apricots 32,586,383 27,821,359 17.1% Raisins Seedless 27,010,415...

Nuts & nutmeats. (Markets).(Illustration)
January 6, 2003... FARMER STOCK PEANUTS ON HAND DEC. 1, 2002 (Source: USDA) 1,000 Pounds 2002/03 2001/02 % Chge. Virginias 216,056 468,078 -53.8% Runners 1,462,118 2,877,863 -49.2% Spanish ...

Frozen fruits. (Markets).(Illustration)
January 6, 2003... Attending the Northwest Food Manufacturing & Packaging Exposition this year in Seattle? Why not stop by booth 2035 and visit the Food Institute. Representing the Food Institute will be V.P. of Business Development--Jim Gawley and Managing...

Juices & concentrates. (Markets).(Illustration)
January 6, 2003... USDA OFFERS TO BUY--USDA has offered to buy 18,000 cases of FCOJ in 12/32 oz. containers and 280,800 pounds solids of FCOJ for manufacturing in tankers. The anticipated purchases will be made from offers that must be submitted on a...

Butter. (Markets).(Illustration)
January 6, 2003... BUTTER MARKET, WK. ENDING JAN. 3 (Source: USDA) Cents Per Pound: 01/03/2003 12/20/2002 Chge. Grade AA 112.00 112.50 -0.50

Cheese. (Markets).(Illustration)
January 6, 2003... CHEDDAR CHEESE MARKET JAN. 3 Cents Per Pound: 01/03/2003 Chge. Fr. Last Wk. Barrels 111.00 +0.50 Blocks 112.75 -1.25

Eggs. (Markets).(Illustration)
January 6, 2003... EGG PRICES TO RETAILERS WEEK ENDING JAN. 3 (Source: USDA) This Wk. Ending Chng. From Wk. Cents per dozen: Week Dec. 20 Ending Dec. 20 Extra Large-NY ...

Chicken. (Markets).(Illustration)
January 6, 2003... PRELIMINARY BROILER PRICES FOR DELIVERY THE WEEK OF JAN. 6 Cents Per Pound: This Week Last Week Chicago 54.00-57.00 46.00-49.00 Cleveland Too Few Too Few Detroit ...

Futures prices. (Markets).(Illustration)
January 6, 2003... FUTURES PRICES (Source: Wall Street Journal) Cash Jan. May As of Dec. 12, 2002: Price Futures Futures Corn, bu. $2.32 $2.37(Mar.) $2.4100...

Commodity prices. (Markets).(Illustration)
January 6, 2003... COMMODITY PRICES (Source: Wall Street Journal) Week Week % Chge. Ended Ended Last Jan....

Morrison bids for Safeway P.L.C.; other rivals entering foray?(William Morrison Supermarkets)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... William Morrison Supermarkets, surprised the industry on Jan. 9 when it announced that it had agreed to buy Safeway P.L.C., its bigger and higher-priced southern rival, for $4.7 billion. The 104-year-old Bradford, Yorkshire-based chain is the...

FDA to hold meeting to discuss Bioterrorism Act.(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... FDA will hold a satellite downlink public meeting to discuss its proposed rules implementing two provisions of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (Bioterrorism Act) on Jan. 29, 2003 from 1:00-3:00...

Northwest Airlines to test selling meals on select flights.(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Following America West Airlines' lead, Northwest Airlines plans to test selling meals on board flights that do not presently have meal service in a test with D'Amico & Sons, Minneapolis, MN, known for its casual dining restaurants across the...

Dupont and Bunge to sell soy-based nutraceuticals in joint venture.(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... DuPont Co., the largest U.S. chemical group, and Bunge Ltd., the world's top oilseed processor, are forming a joint venture, Solae LLC, that will offer a wide variety of soy-based "nutraceuticals," or foods and drinks that offer additional...

Canadian retailers say no to checks.(list includes Loblaw, Sears Canada and Wal-Mart Stores)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... At the end of January, 72 Loblaw stores in Ontario, Canada will join Wal-Mart Stores, Sears Canada Inc. and The Bay and Zellers outlets as part of a growing list of Canadian retailers that no longer accept checks for payment. Only 2% of...

Armour being positioned as convenience brand.(ConAgra will spend over $10 mil on media budget for its Armour brand)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... As part of ConAgra's ongoing effort to upgrade its brand portfolio, the Omaha, NE-based company will spend $10 million-plus on its Armour brand's media budget and introduce a number of new product innovations. In 2002, ConAgra spent less than...

French twist boosts McDonald's sales.(restaurant company is opening a new unit every six days)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... McDonald's French subsidiary is booming, with a new unit opening every six days, even as its Oak Brook, IL-based parent company prepares to close 175 outlets worldwide. The typical French customer spends $9 per visit vs. $4 in the U.S., even...

Vegetable extracts increase shelf life of meat.(Spanish researchers use cayenne and other peppers to extend shelf life of beef burgers)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Researchers from the University of Zaragoza, Spain, have developed a way to extend the shelf life of burgers using peppers and tomatoes, reported FoodProductionDaily.com (Jan. 8.) Led by Pedro Roncales, the team of researchers produced...

Italian company introduces frozen pasta snack with sauce.(Very Italiano)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... A new pasta-based snack product from Italy, with sauce added, claims to be the first deep frozen product of its kind, reported FoodProductiondaily.com (Jan. 8.) Very Italiano IQF microwaveable pasta snacks were launched in Italy and other...

Aluminum business may not recover until 2004, analyst says.(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Overcapacity continues to plague the aluminum industry, despite recent troubles at Alcoa, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA, the world's largest aluminum maker, which has idled about 200,000 tons of aluminum capacity at its Troutdale smelter in Oregon and...

High-end chocolate importer seeks growth.(Albert Uster Imports wants to double its sales of high-end chocolates to $40 mil by 2005)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... In an $8-billion-a-year U.S. wholesale market that boasts the likes of Kraft Foods and Nestle, both of which import their own European chocolate labels, Gaithersburg, MD-based Albert Uster Imports intends to double its sales of high-end...

Four Ahold U.S. retail companies to restructure back-office operations.(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Four of Ahold NV's U.S. retail companies are further restructuring their back-office operations. Giant-Carlisle and Tops will pursue further integration of their merchandising and administrative functions, accelerating a process that began two...

Amid price war era, Yum Brands' units focus on better food.(restaurant units KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell)
January 13, 2003... While prominent burger chains are engrossed in a price war, Yum Brands units KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell are adding and emphasizing better food, reported Forbes.com (Jan. 8). Yum restaurants are pushing higher-priced items, such as Pizza Hut's...

Fun Fresh Concepts. (New Product Roundup).(launches five varieties of Deli Dashers Oriental Cups)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Fun Fresh Concepts, Chicago, IL, has introduced Deli Dashers Oriental Cups in five varieties: Kung Pao Chicken, Chicken and Rice, Oriental Vegetable and Noodle, Lo Mein Noodle with Chicken, and Sweet and Sour Chicken. The deli-styled domed...

Fairfield Farms. (New Product Roundup).(introduces Fairfield Farm Kitchen Organic Toaster Classics Toaster Muffins)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Fairfield Farms, Fairfield, IA, is out with Fairfield Farm Kitchen Organic Toaster Classics Toaster Muffins in Blueberry, Carrot Spice, Cranberry Corn and wheat-free Maple Oat varieties. They contain no artificial flavors, fillers,...

Dean Foods. (New Product Roundup).(has introduced a new novelty, Pet Magic Wands)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Dean Foods, Dallas, has launched a new novelty, Pet Magic Wands. The clear, cream soda-flavored water ices contain a colorful fruity gel core. The three flavors are: Green Apple, Cherry and Orange.

Energy Bar. (New Product Roundup).(has introduced the Hole In One Energy Bar)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Energy Bar, Naples, FL, introduced the Hole In One Bar Energy Bar, specifically designed with the sport in mind. It contains 22 vitamins and minerals, soy protein, and is low in calories. The company rolled out a Tennis Bar Cookies & Cream...

Williams Foods. (New Product Roundup).(has introduced Sunbird Lemon Grass Soup Entree)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Williams Foods, Lenexa, KS, has introduced Sunbird Lemon Grass Soup Entree, a combination of pasta, mushrooms, and bellpeppers in a spicy chicken broth. The convenience-oriented entree is microwaveable and ready to serve in five minutes.

Mediterranean Delights. (New Product Roundup).(introduces Mediterranean Delights Organic Certified Hummus)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Mediterranean Delights, Putney, VT, is out with Mediterranean Delights Organic Certified Hummus, the "only readily available Certified Organic Hummus product on the market." The five-flavor line is made with more than 95% organic ingredients.

Vita Food Products. (New Product Roundup).(introduces several varieties of Vita Gourmet Cooking Sauces)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... Vita Food Products, Chicago, has launched Vita Gourmet Cooking Sauces in Vidalia Onion Zesty, Honey Teriyaki, Pineapple, and Lemon Pepper varieties.

Belgian supermarket retailer Delhaize Freres et Compagnie le Lion SA plans to close 41 underperforming Food Lion stores, as well as one Kash n' Karry store, in the U.S.(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... * Belgian supermarket retailer Delhaize Freres et Compagnie le Lion SA plans to close 41 underperforming Food Lion stores, as well as one Kash n' Karry store, in the U.S. These stores, which will be identified later this month, will close by...

Public schools in Buffalo.(vending machine sales of soft drinks at public schools will be discontinued)(Brief Article)
January 13, 2003... * Public schools in Buffalo, NY, will no longer sell soft drinks in vending machines under a new 10-year deal that consolidates vending machine contracts with one supplier and prohibits individual schools from having their own agreements......