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Industry News
Dannon's Activia
posted nearly $400 million in sales in 2009, up 16%
over 2008, according to IRI-measured sales in outlets
excluding Wal-Mart. The product posted $130 million
in sales in 2006. Meanwhile, General Mills' Yoplait
line is struggling, reported Brand
Channel. Full
Story
Nelson Peltz was approached by an
outside party about a potential acquisition involving
Wendy's/Arby's Group Inc., and expects "to contact and
discuss a possible transaction involving the company
with potential debt and/or equity financing sources,
other shareholders of the company and other interested
third parties." Analysts believe it is more likely that
private equity firms would consider acquiring the brand
rather than public restaurant companies, reported The
Wall Street Journal. Full
Story (WSJ Subscription Required)
Sears' MyGofer online shopping portal,
which offers groceries, expanded to Manhattan and
the Hamptons and is slated to roll out to Chicago and
other markets this summer. Plans for expanding MyGofer
inside Kmart stores are also moving ahead, reported
Chicago Tribune. Full
Story (Free Registration Required)
 Regulatory
definitions of "natural" are not in line with
consumer understanding of the term, according to
Dr. Michele Kellerhals, a senior executive at Coca-Cola.
Research revealed that consumers had a "holistic
understanding" of the term ‘natural', connecting
it with ingredients of natural origin, and healthier
foods, reported Food Navigator. Full
Story
New Product News: Windsor
Foods' Fred's for Starters introduced the Spicy
Appetizers line. Full
Story ... Windsor Foods' Golden Tiger introduced
the Mu Shu Wraps line. Full
Story ... Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, in
partnership with the Florida Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services, introduced "Fresh from Florida"
chicken. Full
Story ... American Beverage Corporation introduced
Daily's Frozen Lemonade Pouches in six flavors. Full
Story ... Tofutti Brands Inc. will launch
three new dairy-free food products, including a nondairy
and gluten-free ricotta cheese. Full
Story ... Pierre Foods introduced healthier
Smart Picks products. Full
Story ... Robeks launched a line of Brazilian
Superfruit Smoothies in six varieties. Full
Story ... Mars Chocolate North America introduced
the MILKY WAY Brand Simply Caramel Bar. Full
Story
QSR Magazine
profiles six national metro areas primed for
quickservice expansion that weathered the recession
better than others, including Boston, MA and Columbus,
OH. Full
Story
In
response to a recent Daily Brief survey, "What foreign
country is your company looking to for growth,"
32% voted China, 17% voted Brazil, 10% voted India,
and 41% voted Other.
International News
 PepsiCo
Inc.'s canceled its tender offer for Thai bottler and
distributor Serm Suk PCL after
failing to secure as many shares as it expected, securing
an additional 8.7% of the company but beneath a target
of an additional 9.5% stake. The failure of its tender
offer does not affect the company's focus on the Thai
beverage market, according to a spokesman for the PepsiCo
group, reported The Wall Street Journal. Full
Story (WSJ Subscription Required)
The European Food Safety Authority is
appealing for new data on the health and welfare
of cloned farm animals, reported Food Production
Daily. Full
Story
Washington News
At the request of FDA, federal marshals
seized 64 drums of imported bee's honey from Philadelphia-based
Delaware Avenue Distribution Center because it contained
a potent antibiotic that could lead to serious illness
or death. The bulk honey was imported by Sweet Works
Inc. from Cheng Du Wai Yuan Bee Products Company Limited
of Chengdu, China. Full
Story
Twelve-unit T.G.I. Friday's franchisee
BiState Bistro Associates filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
protection. All restaurants will remain open during
the reorganization, reported Nation's Restaurant
News. Full
Story (Free Registration Required)
Market News
U.S. hog farmers are not planning
"aggressive" herd expansion,
stated Howard Hill, COO of Iowa Select Farms. U.S. "consumer
demand hasn't picked up that much, although exports
have been surprisingly strong," noted Mr. Hill.
"Our biggest potential market in the future is
China," stated the executive, reported Bloomberg
BusinessWeek. Full
Story
An unidentified disease is killing
apple trees in northern Michigan. Area growers are
concerned with a spreading blight that has killed some
varieties of McIntosh apples grown from dwarf rootstock,
reported Traverse City Record-Eagle. Full
Story
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