The Food Institute Report back issues from February 2003:
Two bioterrorism rules unveiled by USDA.
Feb 03, 2003 ... Slated to be published in today's (Feb. 3) Federal Register are two proposed rules of significant importance to the food industry from the Food & Drug Administration regarding Prior Notice of Imported Food and Registration of Food Facilities. Both are part of FDA's implementation of The ...
Effects of rising commodity costs are starting to show.(Kellogg Co. and Kraft Food to raise prices on some products)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... Kellogg Co., Battle Creek, MI, is raising the price of some of its cereals by an average of 2%, effective immediately, noted Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Jan. 29). Higher commodity prices--specifically for corn, wheat and cocoa--are to blame, investor relations manager Wendy Lyon said ....
Beverage company to introduce flavored milk.(Dr Pepper/Seven Up Inc. to sell milk in 5 flavors )(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... Dr Pepper/Seven Up Inc. plans to sell milk in five flavors such as chocolate caramel and pina colada, reported The Star Tribune (Jan. 28). The drinks, named Raging Cow, will be introduced in Texas and the Midwest in March, with an expansion to the rest of the country by mid- to late-2004 ....
Large companies are using web to purchase materials and services.(eBay formally offers new section called eBay Business, focusing heavily on office technology products )(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... eBay formally launched a new section called eBay Business, which currently features about 500,000 product listings, focusing heavily on office technology products, such as computers and networking devices, as well as wholesale lots of consumer goods and services, such as insurance and ...
Supermarkets provide fun for kids while their parents shop.(parents tend to spend 10-40% more if kids are with them and in relatively good mood)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... Parents tend to spend 10% to 40% more if the kids are with them and in a relatively good mood, said Greg Kahn, founder and chief executive of Kahn Research Group, Charlotte, NC, and the number is even higher when the dad does the shopping. Furthermore, impulsive children play an important ...
Colleges are increasingly adding meatless meals to their menus.(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... Many U.S. university students are demanding meatless meals, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Vegetarian Resource Group. Norfolk, VA-based PETA, which estimates that more than 20% of college students consider themselves vegetarians, said results from ...
Use of fresh vegetables surpasses other vegetable choices.(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... Half of American consumers (50%) prepare home-cooked meals with fresh vegetables purchased from stores or farm stands, according to a recent study by Opinion Research Corp. The use of fresh vegetables far surpasses--by more than two to one--other vegetable choices such as ...
Stagnant sales predicted for the soup category through 2006.
Feb 03, 2003 ... Although annual sales have been flat in recent years, certain areas of the $3.8 billion soup market show promise, according to Chicago, IL-based Mintel International Group. Sales of ready-to-serve (RTS) varieties increased approximately 16% between 2000 and 2002 and surpassed condensed ...
Top wholesalers to supermarkets ranked.(tables show wholesalers' total number of supermarkets, total sales and how supermarkets are supplied)(Illustration)
Feb 03, 2003 ... While self-distributing chains have come to dominate the grocery industry, wholesalers are still the primary source of supply for more than 15,000 supermarkets. Wholesalers serve over 98% of independents (operators with fewer than 11 stores) and 18% of chain supermarkets. Stores ...
Latest financial reports (000 omitted).(table shows financial results by firm)(Illustration)
Feb 03, 2003 ... <Pre> LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS (000 omitted)Current % Chge. Year Year Ago ALTRIA GROUP, INC. (New York, NY) (Formerly Philip Morris Cos.) Qtr. To Dec. 31: Sales ...
Mergers & acquisitions.(includes multiple records)
Feb 03, 2003 ... American Italian Pasta Co. (AIPC) Kansas City, MO, has agreed to buy the Golden Grain/Mission pasta brand from Purchase, NY-based PepsiCo Inc. for about $43 million plus inventory. AIPC already produces over half of the Golden Grain/Mission pasta volumes in a production outsourcing ...
The Outback Steakhouse.(to introduce Asian cuisine to its menu)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... * The Outback Steakhouse chain will introduce Asian cuisine to its menu, including those with Thai flavors, at its outlets worldwide. The Asian fare, including items such as fried crab and lobster cake with herbs, dim sum and lettuce ...
ShopRite has teamed up with the Continental Airlines OnePass frequent flyer program to offer its Price Plus club members OnePass miles for dollars spent at any ShopRite.(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... * ShopRite has teamed up with the Continental Airlines OnePass frequent flyer program to offer its Price Plus club members OnePass miles for ...
Hershey Foods Corp.(to launch Hershey's and Reese's Sugar Free chocolate candies)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... * For the first time in its 109-year history, Hershey Foods Corp. will be launching Hershey's and Reese's Sugar Free chocolate candies: Hershey's Sugar Free Chocolate candy with Almonds, Hershey's Sugar Free Chocolate candy, Hershey's Sugar ...
No-frills grocer Aldi plans to open a fourth store in Wichita, KS in late 2003 or early 2004.(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... * No-frills grocer Aldi plans to open a fourth store in Wichita, KS in late 2003 or early 2004. At least ...
Eating vegetables with your meat may take the edge off the damage the fat can do, at least in the short run.(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... * Eating vegetables with your meat may take the edge off the damage the fat can do, at least in the short run. An Italian study of healthy young men and women found that adding ...
Aqua Vie Beverage Corporation.(offers Pureplay, line of all-natural, low calorie spring water beverages specifically for children)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... * Aqua Vie Beverage Corporation, Ketchum, ID, has developed a line of all-natural, low calorie spring water beverages, formulated and ...
Geomerx is launching a non proprietary internet to kitchen online ordering system for the restaurant industry.(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... * Geomerx is launching a non proprietary internet to kitchen online ordering system for the restaurant industry. This system will allow The ...
A new joint study by researchers in Sweden and the U.S. has found no correlation between high intake of acrylamides in food and cancer.(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... * A new joint study by researchers in Sweden and the U.S. has found no correlation between high intake of ...
Kmart Corp.(to continue testing its store of the future prototype)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... * Kmart Corp. plans to continue testing its store of the future prototype, but it may not be in the retailer's immediate reorganization plans, the retailer announced as part of its bankruptcy ...
Marsh Supermarkets, Inc.(to expand O'Malia Food Markets division)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... * Marsh Supermarkets, Inc., which recently bought Indianapolis' Mr. D's Food Markets and announced it would turn them into its specialty O'Malia Food Markets, is ...
Fresh Express.(Marsh Supermarkets is dropping its Fresh Express Home Delivery Operation)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... * Meanwhile, Marsh Supermarkets, Indianapolis, IN, plans to cease operations of its Fresh Express Home Delivery Operation. The Fresh Express Home Delivery ...
Sysco Corp.(Sysco will acquire land north of Los Angeles, California)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... * Sysco Corp., North America's largest foodservice marketer and distributor, has signed an agreement to acquire land for the construction of a broadline ...
Eckerd Corp., which opened its first store in Arizona this month, plans to open 30 stores in the Phoenix and Tucson, AZ areas this year, 30 more next year and an additional 20 in 2005, but declined to disclose sites.(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... * Eckerd Corp., which opened its first store in Arizona this month, plans to open 30 stores in the Phoenix and Tucson, AZ areas this year, 30 more next year and an additional 20 in 2005, but declined to disclose sites. Walgreens ...
Wegmans Food Markets.(introduces organic food range)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... * Wegmans Food Markets, Rochester, NY, has debuted a private label line of organic food, revealed Private Label Magazine. The first wave of Wegmans Organic products includes pasta sauces, salsa, peanut butter, maple ...
Corporate Name Change: Philip Morris Companies, Inc. has become Altria Group, Inc.(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... * Corporate Name Change: Philip Morris Companies, Inc. has become Altria Group, Inc. Kraft Foods Inc., Philip Morris International Inc., and ...
Japan Chain Stores Association.(sales slipped)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... * Sales at Japan's supermarkets slipped 2.1% in 2002 on a same-store basis from the previous year, for the sixth straight yearly fall, according to the Japan Chain ...
Proposed federal law would bar obesity-related lawsuits against restaurants. (Washington).(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... Restaurants could not be held liable for consumers. health problems under proposed federal legislation meant to stop lawsuits that blame Big Macs and french fries for obesity and diabetes, observed Sun-Sentinel.com (Jan. 27). U.S. Rep. Ric Keller, (R-FL), filed the Personal Responsibility ...
Iowa court strikes down meat packer ownership law. (Washington).(court ruling is legal triumph for Smithfield Foods Inc.)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... In a legal triumph for Smithfield Foods Inc., a federal judge has ruled unconstitutional Iowa's ban on meat packers from owning, operating or controlling pork production. The ruling by the U.S. District Court in Iowa is a setback for farm groups and some Midwest legislators seeking a ...
Mandatory advertising campaign violates first amendment, court rules. (Washington).(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... A mandatory advertising campaign for California's table grape industry violates the First Amendment guarantee of free speech, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled, noted The Modesto Bee (Jan. 28). The ruling was a victory for Delano Farms and the Susan Neill Fresh Fruit ...
Food recalls reported. (Washington).(detailed by firm)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... Smith Dairy Products Co., Orrville, OH, is recalling about 250 half-gallon packages of "Ruggles No Sugar Added vanilla ice cream." The products were distributed to retailers in IN, KY, OH, PA and WV. Reason for recall: The products contain undeclared pecans. Mayfair Sales, ...
You should know ...(includes multiple records)
Feb 03, 2003 ... ... A Yakima County, WA judge allowed Seneca Foods Corp.'s lawsuit to proceed against Starbucks Corp. Seneca claims that Starbucks owes more than $1.5 million for raw materials that went unused when customer demand lagged for a juice-based ice drink sold exclusively at many of the coffee ...
Codex-related meeting. (Noted In The Federal Register).(4th Session of Codex Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... CODEX-RELATED MEETING: The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, USDA and FDA are sponsoring a public meeting on Feb. 20, 2003 in Washington, DC to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items that will be discussed at the 4th ...
Pistachio reviews. (Noted In The Federal Register).(contervailing duty new shipper review published)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... PISTACHIO REVIEWS: The Department of Commerce has issued a notice of the final results of countervailing duty new shipper reviews regarding certain in-shell pistachios and certain roasted in-shell pistachios from the Islamic Republic of Iran. On Sept. 4, 2002, the Department of Commerce ...
Crawfish tail meat from China. (Noted In The Federal Register).(anti-dumping duty to be reviewed)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... CRAWFISH TAIL MEAT FROM CHINA: The International Trade Commission has given notice of the scheduling of a full review pursuant to section 751(c)(5) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1675(c)(5)) (the Act) to determine whether revocation of the ...
Tree fruit standards. (Noted In The Federal Register).(comments on changes in standards must be received by 7 march 2003)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... TREE FRUIT STANDARDS: USDA has given notice that the comment period on proposed changes to the U.S. Standards for Grades of Peaches, the U.S. Standards for Grades of Fresh Plums and Prunes, and the ...
Apple juice concentrate from China. (Noted In The Federal Register).(to be reviewed for anti-dumping)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... APPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE FROM CHINA: The Department of Commerce has received a request to conduct a new shipper review of the antidumping duty order on non-frozen apple juice concentrate from the People's Republic of China. The department is ...
Chinese honey review. (Noted In The Federal Register).(of new shippers for anti-dumping partially rescinded)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... CHINESE HONEY REVIEW: The Department of Commerce has issued a notice of partial rescission of the antidumping duty new shipper review of honey from the People's Republic of China. On Aug. 6, 2002, the department published the initiation of the new shipper reviews of the antidumping duty ...
Garlic from China. (Noted In The Federal Register).(anti-dumping review published)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... GARLIC FROM CHINA: On Aug. 9, 2002, the Department of Commerce published the preliminary results of the administrative review of the antidumping duty order on fresh garlic from the People's Republic of China. The period of review is Nov. 1, 2000, through Oct. 31, 2001. The administrative ...
Handling Florida Citrus. (Noted In The Federal Register).(USDA adapts rule which regulates the handling of citrus fruit)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... HANDLING FLORIDA CITRUS: USDA is adopting, as a final rule, without change, an interim final rule that changed the rules and regulations prescribed under the Florida citrus marketing order, which regulates the handling of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and tangelos grown in Florida and is ...
CALIFORNIA RAISIN DIVERSION. (Noted In The Federal Register).(extended with new rule from the USDA)(Brief Article)
Feb 03, 2003 ... CALIFORNIA RAISIN DIVERSION: USDA is adopting, as a final rule, with change, an interim final rule that allowed producers an additional opportunity to participate in the 2002 raisin diversion program (RDP). The RDP is authorized under the Federal marketing order for California raisins, ...
Produce. (Markets).(fresh produce market conditions reviewed )
Feb 03, 2003 ... <Pre> REGIONAL HOLDINGS OF FRESH APPLES - JAN. 1 (Source: USDA/NASS) 1,000 Pounds: 20032002% Chge. New England 25,141 36,505-31.1% Middle Atlantic 418,438 575,354-27.3% East North Central ...
Canned vegetables. (Markets).(market conditions reviewed)
Feb 03, 2003 ... <Pre> ***USDA OFFERS TO BUY*** CANNED VEGETABLES *Deliveries between Apr. 1, 2003- June 30, 2003* Case Size Cases Corn, Whole Kernel 24/300 212,670 Green Beans24/300 204,120 Carrots24/30092,340 ...
Tomato products. (Markets).(market conditions reviewed)(Industry Overview)
Feb 03, 2003 ... <Pre> ***USDA OFFERS TO BUY*** CANNED TOMATO PRODUCTS *Deliveries between Apr. 1, 2003-June 30, 2003*Case Size Cases Spaghetti Sauce (Meatless) 24/300 119,880 Tomatoes24/300 56,700 Tomato Sauce ...
Frozen vegetables. (Markets).(market conditions reviewed)
Feb 03, 2003 ... CORN--Sweet corn production in 2002 totaled 3.1 million tons of which 1.7 million tons were used for freezing, an increase of approximately 2% from 2001, according to USDA--see CANNED VEGETABLES for state-by-state chart. Between Jan. 1 and Dec. 1, total U.S. imports of sweet ...
Canned fruits. (Markets).(information on prices, shipments and more)(Illustration)
Feb 03, 2003 ... <Pre> **USDA HAS OFFERED TO PURCHASE** CANNED FRUITS *Shipments between Apr. 1 - June 30* No. of Cases Canned Applesauce, 24/300113,400 Canned Plums, 24/300 12,960 For use in the needy family and other domestic ...
Processed fish. (Markets).(cold storage holdings)
Feb 03, 2003 ... USDA HAS PURCHASED--USDA has purchased 124,200 cans (12-oz.) of canned chunk light tuna in water at a delivered cost of approximately $2.94 million for distribution to Federal food and nutrition programs. The entire bid was awarded to Tri-Union Seafoods LLC. Deliveries will be made between ...
Dried vegetables. (Markets).(information on prices, imports and more)(Illustration)
Feb 03, 2003 ... <Pre> ***USDA OFFERS TO BUY*** DRIED BEANS *Deliveries between Apr. 1, 2003 - June 30, 2003* Case Size Cases Baby Lima Beans 12/2 lb. 16,800 Blackeye Beans 12/2 lb. 15,120 Great Northern Beans 12/2 lb. 31,920 ...
Dried fruits. (Markets).(information on imports, prices and more)
Feb 03, 2003 ... RAISINS--USDA has established a final rule that allowed producers an additional opportunity to participate in the 2002 raisin diversion program, which regulates the handling of raisins produced from grapes grown in California. The rule was intended to help with the oversupply and became ...
Nuts & nutmeats. (Markets).(information on imports and more)(Illustration)
Feb 03, 2003 ... <Pre> U.S. IMPORTS OF NUTS AND NUTMEATS, JAN. 1 - DEC. 1 (Source: Bureau of Census) Pounds: 2002 2001 % Chge. Brazil Nuts, Shelled15,936,15015,736,833 1.3% Bolivia 11,585,44210,266,724 12.8% Brazil...
Frozen fruits. (Markets).(information on imports and more)(Illustration)
Feb 03, 2003 ... <Pre> U.S. IMPORTS OF SELECTED FROZEN FRUITS, JAN. 1 - DEC. 1, 2002 (Source: Bureau of Census) Volume % Chge. (1,000 Lbs. Prev. Yr. Strawberries 108,368 49.9% Wild Blueberries ...
Juices & concentrates. (Markets).(import, sales, shipment data for fruit juices )(Illustration)
Feb 03, 2003 ... USDA OFFERS TO BUY--USDA has offered to purchase canned juices for distribution to the needy family and other domestic food assistance programs. Offers are due by 1:00 P.M., Central time, Feb. 13. <Pre> ***USDA OFFERS TO BUY*** CANNED JUICES *Shipments between April 1 - June ...
Butter. (Markets).(pricing data for week ending January 31 )(Brief Article)(Illustration)
Feb 03, 2003 ... <Pre> BUTTER MARKET, WK. ENDING JAN. 31 (Source: USDA) Cents Per Pound: ...
Cheese. (Markets).(cheddar cheese prices )(Brief Article)(Illustration)
Feb 03, 2003 ... <Pre> CHEDDAR CHEESE MARKET JAN. 31 Cents Per Pound: 01/24/2003 Chge. Fr. Last Wk. ...
Eggs. (Markets).(pricing data for week ending February 1 )(Brief Article)(Illustration)
Feb 03, 2003 ... <Pre> EGG PRICES TO RETAILERS WEEK ENDING FEB. 1 (Source: USDA) This Wk. Ending Chng. From Wk. Cents per dozen: Week Jan. 24 Ending Jan. 24 Extra Large-NY 79-83 84-88 -5 Large-NY 77-81 82-86 ...
Chicken. (Markets).(broiler pricing data for week of February 7 )(Brief Article)(Illustration)
Feb 03, 2003 ... <Pre> PRELIMINARY BROILER PRICES FOR DELIVERY THE WEEK OF FEB. 7 Cents Per Pound:This Week Last Week Chicago53.00-56.00 53.00-56.00 ClevelandToo Few Too Few Detroit Too Few Too Few Los Angeles 68.00 ...
Futures prices. (Markets).(Brief Article)(Illustration)
Feb 03, 2003 ... <Pre> FUTURES PRICES (Source: Wall Street Journal) CashMar. May As of Jan. 30, 2003:Price FuturesFutures Corn, bu. $2.29 $2.3700$2.3975 Soybeans, bu.5.545.69 ...
Commodity prices. (Markets).(Brief Article)(Illustration)
Feb 03, 2003 ... <Pre> COMMODITY PRICES (Source: Wall Street Journal) Week Week% Chge. Ended Ended LastJan. 30 Jan. 23 Year Steers, Tex.-Okl. avg ....
Agrilink to shutter six plants, changes name to Birds Eye Foods.(Agrilink Foods Inc. )(Brief Article)
Feb 10, 2003 ... Agrilink Foods Inc. plans to close six frozen vegetable processing facilities over the next several months and will consolidate production from these locations into other Agrilink facilities. The consolidation will allow for more efficient operations while having no negative effect on the ...
FDA's proposed facility registration rule explained; comments needed.(requiring registration of food facilities )(Brief Article)
Feb 10, 2003 ... Although FDA's proposed rule requiring registration of food facilities is mandated by the Bioterrorism Act, it goes beyond the provisions of the Act in certain respects according to a comprehensive analysis of the rule (Section 305), by Food Institute counsel Olsson, Frank & Weeda, PC that ...
Spartan exploring alternative strategies for Food Town stores.(Spartan Stores Inc.)(Brief Article)
Feb 10, 2003 ... As part of a strategic review process, Spartan Stores, Inc. is working with The Food Partners, an investment banking firm specializing in the food industry, to explore alternative strategies related to its Food Town retail grocery stores. The company declined to say what alternatives it is ...
Kmart and Fleming end contract.(Brief Article)
Feb 10, 2003 ... Kmart Corp. and food distributor Fleming Cos. Inc. agreed to dissolve a 2001 contract, which was to have remained in effect through the retailer's bankruptcy reorganization, after determining the deal was no longer in either company's interest, reported The Star Tribune (Feb. 4). ...
How America eats.(Brief Article)
Feb 10, 2003 ... Americans believe comfort food (74%), health food (61%), and organic food (59%) are rising trends. Meanwhile, 68% believe fast food is on the wane, but that opinion differs a bit depending on age. People between the ages of 18-34 believe fast food is on the wane (79%) and that health food ...
Online grocery sales expected to grow.(Brief Article)
Feb 10, 2003 ... Online U.S. sales of groceries are estimated to reach $5.4 billion by 2007, up from $1 billion last year, according to Jupiter Research analyst Ken Cassar. Among the players in the U.S. online grocery market are Groceryworks.com, backed by No. 3 U.S. grocer Safeway Inc. and British ...
Givaudan may be picking up new flavors on the radar.
Feb 10, 2003 ... When an ethnic flavor like dulce de leche or teriyaki goes national, it is likely that a flavor-development team was involved in the process. A dozen Ohio-based product developers, chemists and marketing people who work for the Swiss flavor company Givaudan recently visited Calle Ocho for ...