The Food Institute Report articles from June 2004

The Food Institute Report archives from June 2004

Tariff reductions on some Chilean imports may be hastened.
June 7, 2004... Tariff reductions on some Chilean food products that were to be phased in over a 12-year period under the U.S. Chile Free Trade Agreement that became effective at the beginning of this year, may be accelerated, according to Chilean Foreign...

NRA drafts plan for restaurants to disclose dietary information.(National Restaurant Association )(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... The National Restaurant Association (NRA) plans to test a nutrition-marketing plan aimed at meeting FDA's recommendation that the industry develop its own method for disclosing dietary information, reported Restaurant Business (June 3). ...

Kraft takes new approach to help consumers watch portion sizes.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... Since it launched a global health and wellness initiative in July 2003, Kraft has reduced the fat content in, and made other changes to, about 200 existing, individual products in North America, which account for about 5% of the company's...

C-Store chains open smaller stores.(Convenience stores)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... Large convenience store chains are opening smaller stores in places where people live, work and travel--in malls, universities, airports, office buildings, hospitals and subway and bus stations. The new outlets are typically half the size of...

More retailers and manufacturers use category management to grow.
June 7, 2004... Consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers are increasingly turning to category management to grow their business, according to ACNielsen's 13th Annual Survey of Trade Promotion Practices. Among respondents who did not utilize a...

Over 400 trademark applications filed for "Carb" in 2003.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... Filings with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2003 for trademarks for the "basics of life"--food, drink and clothing--all showed significant increases. In 2003, filings for "beer" or "wine" were up 19% from 2002, while filings for food...

Largest foodservice distributors outpace the market.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... The largest 26 broadline distributors now capture a 35% market share, up from 20% in 1998. These same companies grew 10% in 2003, compared to 3% for the market as a whole, according to Chicago, IL-based Technomic Inc.'s Technomic 2004 Power...

New fruit products aim to boost industry sales.
June 7, 2004... Wenatchee, WA-based Get Fit Foods is marketing and distributing Grapples--fresh whole extra fancy Fuji apples dipped in a bath of liquid Concord grape flavoring that adds a grape taste and aroma after the apples sit for four or five days--for...

AFC enterprises eyes alternatives for church's chicken ...(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... Atlanta-based AFC Enterprises, Inc. intends to explore strategic alternatives for its Church's Chicken brand, including a possible sale. As of Apr. 18, the Church's system was comprised of 281 company owned, 955 domestic franchise, and 292...

... Cinnabon rolls out lower-fat menu options.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... Bakery chain Cinnabon is out to lure calorie conscious consumers with the launch of its "better-for-you". menu strategy. It features the lower-fat Strawberry Minibon and the fat-free Strawberry Frusia. The Strawberry Minibon, with only five...

Mixed reports on Nestle courting General Mills.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... Nestle SA is considering a bid for General Mills Inc., according to people familiar with the matter, although both companies declined to comment. Vevey, Switzerland-based Nestle has yet to approach General Mills and no agreement is imminent,...

Per capita food expenditure, 2002: by region.(Illustration)
June 7, 2004... Per Capita Food Expenditures, 2002: By Region (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2002 Consumer Expenditure Survey) All Consumer Item ...

Cadbury Schweppes PLC's Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... * Cadbury Schweppes PLC's Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc. announced plans to introduce 7 UP PLUS, a carbonated beverage fortified with calcium, vitamin C, real fruit juice and sweetened with Splenda. 7 UP PLUS represents the first fortified carbonated...

Frito-Lay Inc.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... * In an effort to jump-start sales of its Wow line of low-fat snack chips, Frito-Lay Inc. will reintroduce the brand with a new name, Light. The potato and tortilla chips will come in revamped packaging and will be marketed with a focus on...

Del Taco.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... * Del Taco is gearing up for its largest push to date out-side its core Western market, targeting Detroit, St. Louis and Western Illinois for up to 40 stores each. The Mexican chain will have seven stores open in St. Louis and its first Detroit...

CoolBrands International Inc., Toronto, is accelerating the U.S. rollout of its Yoplait frozen breakfast bars.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... * CoolBrands International Inc., Toronto, is accelerating the U.S. rollout of its Yoplait frozen breakfast bars. The company, which makes Yoplait frozen novelties under license from Yoplait Marques Internationales SAS, touts the bars as a...

Dutch retailer Ahold will start looking at takeovers again in 2006 although it has no concrete plans.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... * Dutch retailer Ahold will start looking at takeovers again in 2006 although it has no concrete plans, its chief financial officer was quoted as saying. Ahold will seek to grow in the U.S. by strengthening its core Stop & Shop and...

Washington State's last and largest asparagus cannery will close next year as the work moves to plants in Peru.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... * Washington State's last and largest asparagus cannery will close next year as the work moves to plants in Peru. The 70-year-old cannery employs 1,000 workers during the summer months and about 50 year-round, reported Seneca Foods, owner of...

Aramark.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... * In a program dubbed Just4U, foodservice company Aramark is adding 600 recipes to its repertoire--many with reduced calories, less fat and fewer carbs. Aramark's program will be implemented at thousands of its 80,000 customers by year's end....

Campbell Soup.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... * Campbell Soup's Pace brand of Mexican salsas and dips is aggressively expanding into other food segments. Entering the market in recent months have been a Pace-branded bloody Mary mix and a line of "family entree" meals, including Beef Tamale...

Tony's Fine Foods.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... * Tony's Fine Foods has built a solid niche business by providing perishable food products to in-store foodservice operations. The company told ID Access that sales have been regularly growing at single-digit rates, bringing the company's...

K2 Inc.'s Rawlings Sporting Goods.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... * K2 Inc.'s Rawlings Sporting Goods subsidiary loaned its name to a chain of sports-themed restaurants. Currently, Rawlings All American Grille restaurants operate in just two Dallas area locations, but the restaurant-management team that...

Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... * Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill, Carlsbad, CA, is launching its new Fresh & Affordable Menu featuring "everyday affordable" items such as authentic Carnitas Street Tacos now $1 everyday, Carne Asada Street Tacos now $1.39 everyday, three Taco...

Panera Bread Company.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... * Panera Bread Company added six new, lower-carb items to its menu of bakery products.

Glory Days Grill.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... * Eight-year-old Glory Days Grill, which operates 15 family-centric sports restaurants, expects to have 30 locations by the end of 2006. Glory Days will continue adding corporate stores in Maryland and Northern Virginia. The most likely...

University of California.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... * Eating dark chocolate helps blood vessels function more effectively, according to University of California researchers writing in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition... BBC News.

Hydrade Beverage Co. plans to start selling what it calls the nation's the only patented sports drink in around 225 Kroger stores in the company's Southeast region starting June 14.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... * Hydrade Beverage Co. plans to start selling what it calls the nation's the only patented sports drink in around 225 Kroger stores in the company's Southeast region starting June 14. Founded in 1998, the company is finally getting a broad...

Country Choice Naturals.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... * Country Choice Naturals, Eden Prairie, MN, has added Ginger Lemon Sandwich Cremes to its line of USDA certified organic cookies. All of the company's cookies are made without hydrogenated oils or refined sweeteners, artificial colors,...

Tesco.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... * Tesco is promoting the Glycaemic Index (Gi) diet, a food labeling system that promises to help people lose weight through a "sensible alternative to the Atkins diet." Tesco plans to label up to 900 own-brand products according to their Gi...

Gorton.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... * Gorton's of Gloucester, MA, the nation's leading frozen seafood brand, will debut Beer Batter Fillets in July. The new product features a crispy pub-style beer batter coating made with real beer. There are no MSG or artificial flavors in...

HyperActive Technologies Inc..(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... * In an effort to improve food quality and reduce waste at restaurants HyperActive Technologies Inc.'s roof-mounted cameras, which are linked to artificial intelligence software, count cars coming into the parking lot. Inside the store, the...

Turtle Mountain, Inc.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... * Turtle Mountain, Inc., Oregon, has expanded its frozen non-dairy dessert line with seven new Purely Decadent Soy Delicious flavors: Swinging Anna Banana, Mocha Almond Fudge, Raspberry A La Mode, Turtle Tracks, Rocky Road, Vanilla Swiss...

UC Berkeley.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... * One-third of the calories Americans eat daily come from foods high in fat and sugar, a UC Berkeley study shows. Three types of foods--sweets and desserts; soft drinks; and alcoholic beverages--make up almost 25% of all calories. Salty snacks...

Latest financial reports (000 omitted).(Illustration)
June 7, 2004... LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (000 omitted) Current % Chge. Year Year Ago ALBERTSON'S, INC. (Boise, ID) 13 Wks. To Apr. 29: Sales $8,688,000 ...

Mergers & acquisitions.(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... Krinos Foods, Long Island City, NY, an importer and producer of Greek and Mediterranean specialty foods, acquired Salem, MA-based Hellas International's operations and brands. Hellas' lines include MOREA extra virgin olive oil, balsamic...

Registration of food facilities under Bioterrorism Act lagging, FDA says.(Washington)
June 7, 2004... While FDA estimates that the total number of food facilities that must register under the Bioterrorism Act is approximately 420,000, as of May 19, 2004, FDA had received just 202,024 registrations, of which 105,193 are foreign and 96,831 are...

Details of final detention rule disclosed.(Washington)
June 7, 2004... FDA issued a final rule establishing procedures for the FDA to detain an article of food if an FDA officer or qualified employee has credible evidence or information indicating that the article presents a threat of serious adverse health...

Biopharming on the rise, group says.(Washington)
June 7, 2004... The practice of using genetic engineering to grow drugs or industrial chemicals in food crops, known as "biopharming," is on the rise, according to a report from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). USDA received 16 new...

Food recalls reported.(Washington)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... RAW ALMOND SALMONELLA RECALL UPDATE--Other companies recalling products containing raw almonds that were purchased from Paramount Farms include: Mr. Nature, Los Angeles, CA, distributed in CA, TX, MO, MD, MA, FL, GA, NC, IL, NJ, NY and OH....

... USDA began expanded national testing for mad cow disease June 1.(Mad Cow News ...)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... ... USDA began expanded national testing for mad cow disease June 1, intending to test about 220,000 animals for the brain-wasting condition over the next year to 18 months. Officials said the department was able to handle the first day's...

... Triggered by the first U.S. case in December of mad cow disease, 13 House members requested that Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson create a task force to coordinate research on diseases such as mad cow.(Mad Cow News ...)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... ... Triggered by the first U.S. case in December of mad cow disease, 13 House members requested that Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson create a task force to coordinate research on diseases such as mad cow. The letter was...

... Indonesia lifted its ban on U.S. beef.(Mad Cow News ...)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... ... Indonesia lifted its ban on U.S. beef, which it imposed after the discovery of a single case of mad cow disease in Washington state last December. Indonesia became one of the first countries in addition to Canada and Mexico to resume...

You should know ...
June 7, 2004... ... The Environmental Protection Agency is close to reaching an agreement with some of the nation's largest animal processors that would lay the groundwork for the first federal emission standards for companies that process millions of pigs,...

FDA may revise export notification & recordkeeping regulations.(Noted In The Federal Register)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... FDA MAY REVISE EXPORT NOTIFICATION & RECORDKEEPING REGULATIONS: FDA is considering whether to revise its regulations pertaining to export notification and recordkeeping. FDA has received a petition for reconsideration claiming that the agency...

Workshops on ground beef.(Noted In The Federal Register)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... WORKSHOPS ON GROUND BEEF: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is holding a series of workshops from May through September 2004, to discuss Revision 1 of Directive 10,010.1, "Microbiological Testing Program and Other Verification...

Shell egg grading program.(Noted In The Federal Register)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... SHELL EGG GRADING PROGRAM: USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service proposes to amend the regulations governing the voluntary shell egg grading program. The proposed revisions would add definitions that describe the official identification and...

Honey from China.(Noted In The Federal Register)(Brief Article)
June 7, 2004... HONEY FROM CHINA: In response to requests from Cheng Du Wai Yuan Bee Products Co., Ltd and Jinfu Trading Co., Ltd., the Department of Commerce (DOC) is conducting new shipper reviews of the antidumping duty order on honey from the People's...

Produce.(Markets)
June 7, 2004... SELECTED U.S. EXPORTS OF FRESH FRUITS JAN. 1-APR. 1, 2004 (Source: Bureau of Census) % Chge. Pounds 2004 2003 Prev. Yr. ...

Canned vegetables.(Markets)(Illustration)
June 7, 2004... USDA HAS PURCHASED CANNED VEGETABLES * Shipments between July 1-Sept. 30,2004 * Cases Delivered Cost Green Beans (24/300) 249,480 $2,110,536 Bridge Foods, Inc. ...

Tomato products.(Markets)(Illustration)
June 7, 2004... USDA HAS PURCHASED CANNED TOMATO PRODUCTS * Shipments between July 1-Sept. 30, 2004 * Cases Delivered Cost Meatless Spaghetti Sauce (24/300) 137,700 $948,947 Del Monte...

Frozen vegetables.(Markets)(Illustration)
June 7, 2004... POTATOES--U.S. exports of French fries as of Apr. 1 were up 27% from the previous year to 267.5 million pounds and exports of other potato products were up 29% to 10.8 million pounds. FROZEN POTATO EXPORTS JAN. 1-APR. 1 (Source: Bureau...

Canned fruits.(Markets)
June 7, 2004... SELECTED U.S. EXPORTS OF CANNED FRUIT JAN. 1-APR. 1, 2004 (Source: Bureau of Census) Pounds 2004 2003 % Chge. Olives 1,293,743 ...

Processed fish.(Markets)(Illustration)
June 7, 2004... GULF OF MEXICO SHRIMP LANDINGS SEASON JAN. 1-MAY 1 (Source: NMFS) 2004 2003 % Change 2002 2001 Thousand Pounds Florida 2,638 3,390 -22.2% 3,804 ...

Dried vegetables.(Markets)(Illustration)
June 7, 2004... KANSAS CITY COMMODITY OFFER * Shipments between July 21, 2004 and Aug. 5, 2004 * Metric Tons Product Destination Pack Size Quantity Lentils Preposition 50 K 1,000 ...

Dried fruit & nuts.(Markets)(Illustration)
June 7, 2004... ALMONDS--As the nationwide salmonella recall expands with at least eight resellers of Paramount Farms nuts initiating voluntary recalls of their own the week ending June 5, Paramount announced it will immediately start pasteurizing all natural...

Frozen fruits.(Markets)
June 7, 2004... SELECTED U.S. FROZEN FRUIT EXPORTS JAN. 1 - APR. 1, 2004 (Source: Bureau of Census) % Chge. Pounds 2004 2003 Prev. Yr. Strawberries ...

Juices & concentrates.(Markets)
June 7, 2004... APPLE CONCENTRATE--Combined apple juice production in major producing and trading countries in 2003/04 is estimated at 1.14 million metric tons, nearly 87,000 tons above the previous season. The increase is mainly due to an estimated...

Butter.(Markets)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
June 7, 2004... BUTTER MARKET, JUNE 4 (Source: USDA) Cents Per Pound: 6/4/2004 5/28/2004 Chge. Grade AA 187.5 181.5 +6.00

Cheese.(Markets)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
June 7, 2004... CHEDDAR CHEESE MARKET JUNE 4 Cents Per Pound: 6/4/2004 Chge. Fr. Last Wk. Barrels 177 NC Blocks (40-lbs.) 180 NC

Eggs.(Markets)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
June 7, 2004... EGG PRICES TO RETAILERS JUNE 4 (Source: USDA) This Wk. Ending Chng. From Cents per dozen: Week 28-May May 28 Extra Large-NY 76-80 ...

Chicken.(Markets)(Illustration)
June 7, 2004... PRELIMINARY BROILER PRICES FOR DELIVERY THE WEEK OF JUNE 7 Cents Per Pound: This Week Last Week Chicago 78.00-81.00 78.00-81.00 Cleveland Too Few...

Futures prices.(Markets)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
June 7, 2004... FUTURES PRICES (Source: Wall Street Journal) Cash July Aug. As of June 3, 2004: Price Futures Futures Corn, bu. $3.00 $3.11 3.10(Sept.)...

Commodity prices.(Markets)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
June 7, 2004... COMMODITY PRICES (Source: Wall Street Journal) Week Week % Chge. Ended Ended Last June 3...

2004 flavor trends survey.
June 14, 2004... Hispanic flavors are creating a buzz, according to respondents in the 2004 Prepared Foods' R&D Trends' Survey. Many requests for Hispanic types of flavors such as horchata (a sweet, milky drink with spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon) have been...

June Bioterrorism rule seminars postponed.
June 14, 2004... Regretfully, our planned seminars on the Bioterrorism Rules in Newark, NJ and Columbus, OH later this month must be postponed, as the final rule regarding recordkeeping, which was originally expected by the end of May, has yet to be published...

McDonald's will test co-branding.(with Boston Market)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2004... In its first test of co-branding, McDonald's Corp. is planning to open a Boston Market chicken restaurant under the same roof as one of its namesake hamburger outlets in Northwest Chicago. The dual-brand restaurant, which will open later this...

Divided ocean spray growers say no to joint venture with Pepsi.(Brief Article)
June 14, 2004... Growers in the Ocean Spray cooperative rejected by a 52% to 48% margin a proposed joint venture with PepsiCo Inc., noted The Boston Herald (June 9). Lakeville, MA-based Ocean Spray said the vote means the cooperative's directors will cease all...

Blimpie International.(testing pre-made foods)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2004... * A prototype store operated by Blimpie International is providing customers with pre-made sandwiches, a major change for a company that made its name on custom preparation. The store, located in Kansas City, also has pre-made salads......

U.S. food plant construction slowed in 2003.
June 14, 2004... The U.S. food industry closed more plants in 2003 than any other sector of manufacturing, save metals and electronics and the number of new plants in 2003 fell 28% from the prior year. However, there are some companies that are expanding,...

International mergers & acquisitions.(Brief Article)
June 14, 2004... Australian juice bar chain Boost Juice bought out Viva Juice, which has 24 stores. Boost, with 100 stores and another 30 stores in the design and development stage, is well on its way to meeting its 2004 target of 175 stores Australia-wide......

Mergers & acquisitions.(and Canadian food consumption statistics)
June 14, 2004... Graham Partners, a Philadelphia, PA-based private investment firm, acquired Supreme Corq Inc., Kent, WA, a supplier and manufacturer of synthetic wine and spirits closures. Houston, TX-based House of Brussels Chocolates will acquire DeBas...

Banc of America Securities Inc.(restaurant industry statistics)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2004... * On average, overall restaurant industry sales growth has decelerated to 3.3% growth in May from 4.0% in April and 4.8% in March, according to a report from Banc of America Securities Inc. Analysts expect a continued slowdown, particularly...

A&P could convert up to 20% of its 400 conventional U.S. store base to the Food Basics format within three to four years.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2004... * A&P could convert up to 20% of its 400 conventional U.S. store base to the Food Basics format within three to four years, according to Mitchell Goldstein, senior VP and chief financial officer. A&P converted 25 U.S. stores to the Food Basics...

Kraft Foods Inc. formed a pact to use the South Beach Diet trademark to appeal to dieters who are counting carbohydrates.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2004... * Kraft Foods Inc. formed a pact to use the South Beach Diet trademark to appeal to dieters who are counting carbohydrates. Kraft did not reveal which foods would carry the new label, "South Beach Diet Recommended," or when the foods would hit...

Wal-Mart.(changes plans for a supercenter in Greenwood, IN)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2004... * Wal-Mart dropped plans for a supercenter at one site in Greenwood, IN, but said it still hopes to build elsewhere in town. The retailer wants to build up to 10 new stores in the Indianapolis area in the next three years... The State (June 8)...

Archer Daniels Midland Company entered into a contract to acquire Gold River Mills, LLC's rice mill facility in Arbuckle, CA.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2004... * Archer Daniels Midland Company entered into a contract to acquire Gold River Mills, LLC's rice mill facility in Arbuckle, CA. The rice mill is expected to be operational on Aug. 1.

HZPC Holland BV.(marketing low-carbohydrate potato)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2004... * Dutch-based HZPC Holland BV is marketing a variety of its potatoes in the U.S., called "Spud-U-Lite," as containing fewer carbohydrates than the regular potato... ABCNEWS.com.

Kroger Co.(to build six of its Marketplace superstores in Columbus, OH)
June 14, 2004... * Kroger Co. plans to build six of its Marketplace superstores in Columbus, OH this year... MSNBC.com.

Shaw's Supermarkets.(plans job cuts)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2004... * Shaw's Supermarkets plans to cut more than 300 jobs in its Rhode Island and Massachusetts stores... MaineToday.com.

Hershey.(new Swoops line )(Brief Article)
June 14, 2004... * Hershey's wedged in its new Swoops line without asking retailers to give up too much space by stacking Swoops in single-serve boxes. While the typical package in the take-home candy aisle is about a 12-inch bag, Swoops boxes measure just four...

Drinking more than one sugar-sweetened soft drink a day appears to significantly increase a woman's chances of developing diabetes, according to Harvard School of Public Health research presented at the American Diabetes Association's 64th scientific session.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2004... * Drinking more than one sugar-sweetened soft drink a day appears to significantly increase a woman's chances of developing diabetes, according to Harvard School of Public Health research presented at the American Diabetes Association's 64th...

Adeg.(opens supermarkets catering to older people)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2004... * Supermarkets, catering to the over-fifties crowd, have been opened by Austrian supermarket chain Adeg in that country. This new concept is aiming to make it easier for this segment by featuring larger print on labels, special non-slip floors,...

Kettle Foods.(introduced three new flavors of potato chips)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2004... * Kettle Foods introduced three new flavors of potato chips: Classic Barbeque, Roasted Red Pepper with Goat Cheese and Fire-Roasted Chili Organic Tortilla... Statesman Journal (June 8)

Internet access provider SBC's FreedomLink.(News In A Minute)(Brief Article)
June 14, 2004... * Internet access provider SBC's FreedomLink high-speed WiFi service will be available at 6,000 McDonald's nationwide by the end of summer 2005.