Industry News

Ralcorp Holdings, Inc.'s board of directors rejected ConAgra Foods' acquisition offer, unanimously determining that the company's bid is not in the best interests of shareholders. Ralcorp's board also adopted a shareholder rights plan. Full Story

View Today! The Food Institute reports on wholesale food prices in the May 5 edition of the Lempert Report, hosted by Phil Lempert. Today's edition also discusses what supermarkets can learn from fraternity chefs. Click here to view.

Walmart plans to open dozens of new stores throughout South Carolina over the next five years. New stores will offer a full line of groceries. Full Story

Companies named to the Fortune 500 list include: Wal-Mart Stores (No. 1), CVS Caremark (No. 21) and Kroger (No. 25). Wal-Mart is No. 1 for the second year in a row and the eighth time this decade. Full List

Recording Now Available for Purchase! The Food Institute presented Shopper Insights: Actionable or Academic?, a webinar featuring Nadine Hernandez, Director, Shopper Insights Worldwide Industry Marketing, DemandTec and Roy White, Business Development Executive, RetailWire. The webinar provided detailed results of an in-depth survey addressing Shopper Insights, including, but not limited to the role of Shopper Insights in collaboration and the relative value of Shopper Insights to trade participants. To purchase the recording and learn more, click here.

Sara Lee entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Aidells Sausage Company for $87 million in cash. The deal is expected to close within the next few months. The company is also in the process of evaluating strategic options for its international bakery and North American refrigerated dough businesses. Full Story

The Daily Update is a substantially abbreviated version of Today In Food. You can get a subscription to Today In Food, which usually has over 30 news items each day, as well as access to the archives for just $49.95 per year. Click here to sign up.

Coca-Cola Co.'s roster of about 3,500 beverages is three times larger than 10 years ago. Nearly 25% of the company's global sales are low- or no-calorie drinks, reported The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Latest sales & earnings for food related companies (Updated Daily - FI Membership Required)

Food Institute News

Just Released! The Food Institute's Demographics of Consumer Food Spending, 2011 Edition examines consumer spending patterns on food, based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2009 Consumer Expenditures survey (the latest data available). This book provides an easy-to-read breakdown of spending on food overall, food at-home (in 24 categories & sub-categories including beef, poultry, fruits & vegetables, dairy products and bakery products), food away-from-home, and alcoholic beverages. Topics covered include age, income, career, education, race, gender and region of the U.S. To learn more and purchase, click here.

Schreiber Foods International, Inc. Schreiber Foods International imports Foodservice canned and preserved foods from over 25 countries. Schreiber Foods services the entire USA and Caribbean Islands through their strategically situated warehouses. Schreiber Foods is the exclusive importer of Colman's English Mustard Powder for Foodservice, and Ybarra Spanish Olive Oil from Spain, as well as their own Ambrosia brand Tuna, Olives, Fruits, Vegetables, Olive Oil, Rices and many other demand items. To learn more about this Food Institute member visit: www.ambrosia-foods.com. Interested in seeing your company featured here? Email us for more details.

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International News

The Russian Federation does not have a standard in place for "organic" labeling. As a result, products can be imported using the organic labeling of their country of origin. After a notable decline in sales of most types of organic products in Russia in 2009, the sales value of organic packaged food in 2010 grew by 14% to reach $220.6 million. Organic baby food shows the fastest development, with growth of 25% in current sales value and 11% in volume, noted FAS. FAS Report Meanwhile, Russia will see a "huge" recovery in grain crops this year as will Ukraine, a senior economist and grain analyst at the FAO forecast, reported Reuters. Full Story

Health News

A blend of fruit juices may have benefits for the heart, according to research from the British Heart Foundation. Researchers looked for polyphenols, with the most active fruits including blackcurrant, blueberry, aronia (choke berries), cranberry, lingonberry and grape, reported BBC News. Full Story

Washington News

FDA issued the first two regulations under the Food Safety Modernization Act. Both rules will take effect July 3. The first rule allows FDA to administratively detain food the agency believes was produced under insanitary or unsafe conditions for up to 30 days while the agency determines whether an enforcement action is necessary. The second rule requires anyone importing food into the U.S. to inform FDA if any country refused entry to the same product, including food for animals. Full Story, Federal Register Notice First Rule, Federal Register Notice Second Rule NEW! Sign Up Today! The Food Institute and Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Bode Matz PC will offer a year-long webinar series on FDA implementation of the new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Twelve one-hour webinars will be offered throughout the course of the next year, offering information on the following topics and so much more: FDA Rulemaking Activity, Upcoming Deadlines, Significant Studies, Reports and Notices Mandated by FSMA and Guidance Document Developments. The webinar series begins Wednesday, May 25. To learn more and sign up, click here.

Market News

Heavy rain on Dec. 11, 2010 caused significant cherry losses in the primary cherry producing region in the Central Valley, south of Santiago, Chile, according to the Chilean Fruit Producers Association. Based on reports from the growers, the Association estimates that between 1.2 million and 1.5 million cartons were damaged, the equivalent of 6,000 to 7,000 metric tons, noted FAS. FAS Report

China's fresh strawberry production is estimated at 1.35 million metric tons (MMT) in 2010, a 10% decrease from 2009. Frozen strawberry production in 2010 is down 10% at 130,000 MT. China's exports of frozen strawberries will increase by 9% to 105,000 MT in 2010, noted FAS. FAS Report