News
FIFA: Brewer Used Mini-Dresses As World Cup Marketing Ploy
June 15, 2010 5:20 am | CommentsJOHANNESBURG (AP) — FIFA is defending itself for questioning more than 30 young, blonde women who showed up for a World Cup match in orange mini-dresses that are the symbol of a beer advertising campaign in the Netherlands. Soccer's governing body says the outfits, which the women wore to the Netherlands-Denmark game Monday at Soccer City, were an ambush marketing campaign by the Dutch brewery Bavaria NV.
Olive Oil Production Moves Beyond Italy
June 15, 2010 5:19 am | CommentsBERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Call it the EVOO evolution. Extra-virgin olive oil, once the domain of Spain and Italy, is popping up in surprising new places. It's on the up-and-up Down Under, growing in Croatia and is becoming such an industry in South America that a Chilean producer is bringing two products to the U.
Brazil Poised To Lead Agricultural Boom
June 15, 2010 5:18 am | CommentsROME (AP) — The rising economies of Brazil, China, and India will see strong growth in their agricultural sectors in the next decade as output remains stagnant among big importers in Western Europe, international experts forecast Tuesday. Russia and Ukraine will also make big gains while high prices, which had caused riots over the cost of staples like rice and bread in some developing countries in 2008, will likely ease somewhat, according to a report by the U.
Coca-Cola Wants Industry To Fight Soda Taxes
June 15, 2010 5:18 am | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — The soft drink industry has to work together to make sure proposed soda taxes never come to pass, the chief financial officer of soft drink giant Coca-Cola Co. said Monday. Gary Fayard told analysts at a meeting that shoppers will continue to buy soft drinks even if prices go up — which taxes would do — but the industry's profits would be hurt and it doesn't want to see taxes passed.
ConAgra Buys American Pie
June 15, 2010 5:17 am | CommentsOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — ConAgra Foods Inc. said Monday it's acquiring American Pie LLC, a maker of desserts and frozen dinners under the Marie Callender's and Claim Jumper brand names. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition is expected to close in 30 days. American Pie makes pies, fruit cobblers and pie crusts under license from Marie Callender's and Claim Jumper.
Hershey Plans $250M Upgrade
June 15, 2010 5:15 am | CommentsHARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Chocolate maker The Hershey Co. said Monday it will spend $250 million to $300 million to modernize several facilities and cut costs as part of a plan that is intended to save $80 million a year and could mean big changes for the company's hometown. Hershey made the announcement after its board unanimously approved the plan.
Foreign Competition Hurts U.S. Mint Production
June 14, 2010 4:49 am | CommentsSAN PIERRE, Ind. (AP) — Larry Wappel strode into one of his peppermint fields, stirring up a refreshing fragrance as he brushed past deep-green plants holding the potent oil that gives a cool burst of flavor to toothpaste, candies and other products. When Wappel planted his first peppermint fields in northern Indiana's mint-growing region in 1988, the U.
Author Claims To Solve Coke Bottle Mystery
June 14, 2010 4:48 am | CommentsTERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — The world knows Coca-Cola by its bottle. The contour container of "The Real Thing" is unmistakable, the most famous product package in history. People even can recognize it by touch in the dark. Ironically, the real story of its creation has been clouded for decades by "myths, misconceptions, inconsistencies and contradictions," as Seattle-based author Norman L.
Ag Dept. Drops Chinese Inspector
June 14, 2010 4:47 am | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — The New York Times reports that the Agriculture Department has banned a leading American inspector of organic foods in China for conflicts of interest. The Organic Crop Improvement Association of Nebraska allegedly used Chinese government employees to inspect farms and food processing facilities that are state controlled.
Jimmy Dean Dies At 81
June 14, 2010 4:46 am | CommentsRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Jimmy Dean, a country music legend for his smash hit about a workingman hero, "Big Bad John," and an entrepreneur known for his sausage brand, died on Sunday. He was 81. His wife, Donna Meade Dean, said her husband died at their Henrico County, Va., home. She told The Associated Press that he had some health problems but was still functioning well, so his death came as a shock.
Thomas' Keeps Nooks And Crannies A Secret
June 14, 2010 4:46 am | CommentsPHILADELPHIA (AP) — Chris Botticella knows the secret to those "nooks and crannies" in Thomas' English Muffins — the way they cradle butter and jam, and after a good toasting, produce just the right crunch. It's a secret that the muffins' makers have gone to great lengths to protect over 75 years, allowing it to rack up $500 million in sales annually of the toaster treats.
Bimbo Bakeries Issues Bread Recall
June 14, 2010 4:45 am | CommentsSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Bimbo Bakeries USA is recalling some of its bread distributed in California and three other states after discovering the label did not indicate the product contained milk. The company said Saturday that it has not received any reports of illness from the mislabeled bread, but warned that people who are allergic to milk could experience serious or even life-threatening reactions if they eat it.
Dairy Worker Pleads Not Guilty To Abuse
June 11, 2010 4:34 am | CommentsMARYSVILLE, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio dairy farm worker accused of abusing cows in an undercover video has pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of cruelty to animals. An attorney for 25-year-old Billy Joe Gregg Jr. entered the plea Wednesday. Gregg appeared on a video conference Thursday in a separate court to plead not guilty to a felony gun charge.
Ohio Disputes Egg Safety Claims
June 11, 2010 4:34 am | CommentsCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio regulators are disputing a claim by the Human Society of the United States, which alleged that farms in the state are producing 350,000 eggs a year that are contaminated with salmonella. The Ohio Department of Agriculture says data indicate that Ohio farms produce about 35,000 bad eggs annually, a tiny percentage of the 7 billion eggs produced here each year.
P&G Recalls Iams Cat Food
June 11, 2010 4:33 am | CommentsCINCINNATI (AP) — The Procter & Gamble Co. said Wednesday that it's recalling Iams ProActive Health canned cat and kitten food in 3-ounce and 5.5-ounce cans that expire September 2011 to June 2012. Tests have shown the food contains insufficient levels of Vitamin B1, which is essential to feline health.
Pork Tired Of Being The 'Other White Meat'
June 11, 2010 4:32 am | CommentsDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — For more than two decades, pork has been known as "The Other White Meat." Now industry insiders think it's time the meat got a new reputation. The National Pork Board plans to replace its ubiquitous advertising slogan with something officials hope will improve stagnant sales.
Dole Says Witnesses In Danger
June 11, 2010 4:31 am | CommentsLOS ANGELES (AP) — Lawyers for Dole Foods urged a judge Thursday to quickly conclude hearings in a case involving purported banana workers in Nicaragua to protect those who blew the whistle on an alleged multimillion dollar fraud. In documents filed with Judge Victoria Chaney, the lawyers said a manhunt was being conducted in Nicaragua for the so-called John Doe witnesses, who were being threatened with reprisals unless they recanted their testimony.
Louisiana Wants Gulf Drilling To Continue
June 11, 2010 4:30 am | CommentsNEW ORLEANS (AP) — At the same time they are venting their fury on BP over the Gulf of Mexico spill and its calamitous environmental effects, Louisiana politicians are rushing to the defense of the oil-and-gas industry and pleading with Washington to bring back offshore drilling — now.
Land O'Lakes Pays $25M For Price-Fixing
June 9, 2010 5:09 am | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — One of more than 10 egg producers that a group of restaurants and food processing companies claims conspired to fix egg prices nationwide has agreed to a $25 million settlement, according to a court filing. The restaurants and processors claim egg prices skyrocketed between 2004 and 2008 because industry officials conspired to reduce production — not because feed costs rose, as egg industry leaders said.
Poultry Processor Protests $1M Fine
June 9, 2010 4:58 am | CommentsBALTIMORE (AP) — A Delaware poultry processor says it is contesting a $1 million fine for safety violations at a plant on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The fine announced Friday against Harbeson, Del.-based Allen Family Foods is the largest by a Maryland Occupational Safety and Health unit for a single inspection or investigation.
