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Industry News
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is
being replaced by sugar, despite
a cost difference, by companies in the packaged-food
industry responding to consumer preferences for ingredients
perceived as more natural. ConAgra Foods Inc. will start
replacing the sweetener with sugar in its Hunt's tomato
ketchup in May, while Kraft took HFCS out of the recipes
for its 100-calorie pack Nabisco cookies, Wheat Thins
crackers and most of its namesake salad dressings, reported
The Wall Street Journal. Full
Story (WSJ Subscription Required)
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WMS Report: Is Your Warehouse
Ready for the Upswing? Three Steps to Take Now
You've been in maintenance mode for what seems
like years - are you sure your warehouse or DC
is ready for the economic recovery? Follow a three-step
action plan to prepare your business.
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your FREE copy
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Duane Reade's newest New York City
location features an expanded food section that comprises
approximately 40% of the 15,000-sq. ft. two-level
store. Fresh food and grocery offerings include fresh
sandwiches, single-serve entrees, baked goods, freshly
packed salads and vegetables. Breakfast items will include
fresh-cut fruit and baked goods, as well as self-serve
Starbucks coffee. In addition to the fresh food, Duane
Reade will offer over 500 SKUs of frozen convenience
items. Full
Story
Minnesota
has at least 2,357 food companies that register
$330 billion in annual sales, according to University
of Minnesota researchers. The state also has 81,000
farms, reported
TwinCities.com. Full
Story (Free Registration Required)
Pierre
Foods Inc. will expand in North Carolina's Catawba
County. The company plans to invest $16.8 million during
 the
next three years to handle market growth in the Southeast
and Midwest U.S. Full
Story
There
has been a 88% reduction in calories from beverages
shipped to schools since 2004, according to the
Alliance School Beverage Guidelines Final Progress
Report released by the American Beverage Association
(ABA). Full-calorie soft drinks have been removed, and
shipments of full-calorie soft drinks to schools declined
by 95% during that time, noted ABA.
Full
Story
Operator
of Huck's Food & Fuel, Martin & Bayley Inc., is seeking
to acquire a chain of 10 to 15 c-stores and plans
to
open four or five new stores a year for the next few
years,  according
to CEO Todd Jenney, reported CSP Daily News.
Full
Story
In response to a recent Daily Brief
survey, "Does your company have an E.coli control
policy," 56% voted Yes and 44% voted No.
International News
The UK Takeover Panel is
reportedly investigating whether Kraft Foods Inc. misled
employees and investors about its takeover of Cadbury
PLC, according to The Wall Street Journal. The
Journal stated the Panel is looking at Kraft's
promise at one stage that it would not close a Cadbury
factory in western England. After finalizing the takeover,
Kraft stated the factory would close as Cadbury had
planned, reported The Associated Press. Full
Story
NexCen Brands Inc. signed an agreement
with DRH  Group
Inc. BVI, for the development of four Marble Slab
Creamery stores in Egypt over a five-year term. The
agreement also calls for the development of 10 Great
American Cookies stores in Saudi Arabia and three Great
American Cookies stores in Kuwait over a 10-year term.
Full
Story
Health News
Processed
meat, not unprocessed red meat, increases the risk for
heart disease and even diabetes,
according to Harvard analysis, reported
HealthDay. Full
Story
Washington News
Brazil will raise tariffs on 102
U.S.-made products, including
pears, raisins, potatoes and chewing gum, for 365 days
in retaliation for subsidies paid to U.S. cotton producers,
according to Trade Minister Miguel Jorge. Acting on
authorization by WTO, Brazil will raise levies to between
14% and 100%, according to a list published in the government's
Official Gazette, reported Bloomberg.com.
Full
Story
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A
Look at Merger & Acquisition Activity, Past,
Present and Future
A
Food Institute Webinar
There
have been over 2,500 divestitures involving
the food industry over the past decade.
Following tepid activity last year due to
economic conditions, many analysts see an
increase in activity this year and beyond.
This webinar, scheduled for Thursday, Mar.
11 at 12 p.m. (EST), will review recent
activity in M & As, which The Food Institute
has been tracking since 1928. You will also
hear from The Food Partners about how companies
are evaluated in this process and what makes
them appealing to sell and to buy. To sign
up for the webinar or learn more, click
here.
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The U.S. and Russia reached an agreement
to reopen the Russian market to U.S. pork and pork
products. Full
Story
Market News
Blue Diamond Growers will lease an
80,000-sq. ft. warehouse in
McClellan, CA. The almond cooperative will use the space
for cold storage and will move into the warehouse in
June, reported Sacramento Business Journal. Full
Story (Free Registration Required)
Tyson Foods Inc. will resume processing
stored pork at its Logansport, IN-based plant following
a recent fire. However, slaughtering will remain suspended,
according to a spokesman, reported Reuters. Full
Story
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