News
Pepsi Exec: Coke Is 'Just Getting Started'
March 2, 2010 4:31 am | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — PepsiCo executives said Monday their purchase of the company's two largest bottlers was the "right move" for the industry, but a similar play by top rival Coca-Cola won't be as fruitful. Eric Foss, who leads PepsiCo's new beverage unit, said it was ready to plunge in with its new model, having completed the $7.
Atlas Copco Acquires Quincy Compressor
March 2, 2010 4:29 am | CommentsStockholm, Sweden (Atlas Copco) — Atlas Copco has completed the acquisition of Quincy Compressor from EnPro Industries, with the exception of Quincy’s Chinese operations, where regulatory approvals from relevant local authorities are still pending. Quincy Compressor designs and manufactures reciprocating compressors, rotary screw compressors and vacuum pumps, primarily under the Quincy brand.
Suit Seeks To Bar Genetically Modified Sugar Beets
March 1, 2010 4:14 am | CommentsPHILOMATH, Ore. (AP) — Organic farmers fear this year's spring breezes will be carrying pollen from genetically altered sugar beets, which they say could render their crops worthless, and they hope to persuade a federal judge this week to halt the plantings nationwide. Experts and industry groups say such an injunction could jeopardize U.
Subsidies Keeping Farmers Afloat
March 1, 2010 4:13 am | CommentsNATCHEZ, Miss. (AP) — It's a punch line for comedians and an easy target for politicians, but local farm officials and farmers say the U.S. Farm Bill often helps keep farmers afloat during tough times. The stated purpose of the Farm Bill is to provide a sustainable food supply for the United States at an affordable price, and one of the ways it does that is through programs that are commonly known as farm subsidies.
Diamond Foods Finances Kettle Foods Acquisition
March 1, 2010 4:10 am | CommentsSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Snack maker Diamond Foods Inc. on Monday said it will offer 4.5 million shares to help finance its acquisition of Kettle Foods. Underwriters will have the option to buy an additional 675,000 shares to cover overallotments. Diamond Foods is buying Kettle Foods, the maker of Kettle potato chips, from private equity firm Lion Capital LLP for $615 million.
Gatorade Drops Tiger Woods
March 1, 2010 4:09 am | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — Add Gatorade to the list of endorsement deals that Tiger Woods has lost. A representative for the drink, sold by PepsiCo Inc., confirmed late Friday that it had ended its relationship with the golfer, who made a lengthy public apology last week for his infidelities.
Firm Recalls Pepper With Suspected Salmonella Tie
February 26, 2010 4:52 am | CommentsPROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island health officials say a New York-based company has recalled 25-pound boxes of crushed red pepper because of a suspected link to a salmonella outbreak. The Rhode Island Department of Health on Thursday announced the recall from Brooklyn-based Wholesome Spice because the pepper could be contaminated with salmonella.
Woman Behind $27.4M Grain Fraud Scheme Sentenced To Prison
February 26, 2010 4:28 am | CommentsST. LOUIS (AP) — A Missouri woman was sentenced Thursday to nine years in federal prison for a grain fraud scheme that bilked 179 farmers out of a combined $27.4 million and earned her the nickname the "Madoff of the Midwest." Cathy Gieseker, 45, of Martinsburg, pleaded guilty to one felony count of mail fraud in November.
Warm Winter Worries Oregon Fruit Growers
February 26, 2010 4:22 am | CommentsMEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — A mild January, followed by several days of 60-degree temperatures last week, could lead to the earliest arrival of pear blossoms in the Rogue Valley in nearly two decades. David Sugar, a plant pathologist at the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center in Medford, said the average date for Bartlett pear trees to reach full bloom is April 6.
Schwarzenegger, Clinton Discuss Obesity At Summit
February 26, 2010 4:19 am | CommentsLOS ANGELES (AP) — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday weighed in on California's pricey battle with obesity, calling for the elimination of sugary "sports drinks" in schools and more vigorous physical activity during and after school. Alongside former President Bill Clinton, who underwent heart surgery to open a clogged artery this month, Schwarzenegger discussed solutions to the obesity crisis at a summit of leaders in the public and private sectors of health care in Los Angeles.
China Prepares GM Rice For Market
February 24, 2010 4:22 am | CommentsBEIJING (AP) — Chinese strains of genetically modified corn and rice that were given safety approvals last year could be ready for sale in China in about three years, a biotechnology researcher said Wednesday. Genetically modified rice that is resistant to certain insects and corn that helps pigs absorb more nutrients were given biosafety certificates by the Chinese government in November, possibly paving the way for a new wave of GM cultivation in the world's most populous nation.
Livestock Groups Educate Legislators On Antibiotics
February 24, 2010 4:20 am | CommentsWASHINGTON (National Cattlemen's Beef Association) — Yesterday, livestock and poultry groups hosted educational briefings on Capitol Hill to share the facts about the importance of tools like antibiotics in raising healthy food animals. The informational sessions were co-hosted by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association through beef checkoff funding, the National Chicken Council, National Pork Producers Council, National Milk Producers Federation, National Turkey Federation, American Meat Institute and National Meat Association.
Organic Advocates Optimistic About New USDA Rules
February 24, 2010 4:19 am | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — New federal rules that define what makes milk and meat organic have natural food advocates optimistic that the government is committed to ensuring the label means something. U.S. consumers bought $24 billion worth of organic products in 2008. But for many, the purchases came with uncertainty about what they were getting for their money.
Pollution-Reduction Deadline Looms For Hog Producer
February 24, 2010 4:15 am | CommentsPRINCETON, Mo. (AP) — About 1,500 residents of northern Missouri have attended a meeting about an upcoming deadline for Premium Standard Farms to make environmental improvements. Attorney General Chris Koster, who oversees a 1999 court order with Premium Standard Farms, was at the meeting Monday night.
Pediatricians Urge Choking Warning Labels For Food
February 24, 2010 4:13 am | CommentsCHICAGO (AP) — Before 4-year-old Eric Stavros Adler choked to death on a piece of hot dog, his anguished mother never dreamed that the popular kids' food could be so dangerous. Some food makers including Oscar Mayer have warning labels about choking, but not nearly enough, says Joan Stavros Adler, Eric's mom.
Kraft To Invest $9 million, 50 Jobs In Missouri
February 24, 2010 4:11 am | CommentsSPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce says Kraft Foods Inc. plans to invest $9 million in two new manufacturing lines in the Springfield area. The company says the investment will bring 50 jobs to the area within the next six to nine months. The jobs will include wages higher than the county average and benefits.
