Aug. 30—Kellogg Company is adding new strength to its cereal line-up with Kellogg's® Special K Plus(TM) cereal, a mix of multi-grain flakes, raisins, dates and almonds that pours on more calcium than any other national cereal brand. Even without milk, a serving of Kellogg's Special K Plus has the calcium equivalent of two glasses of milk. To emphasize its high calcium content, the new Special K Plus package resembles a half-gallon milk carton. The nutritional content of the new cereal is: 60% Daily Value of calcium; 90% Daily Value of iron; and 100% Daily Value of folic acid and vitamin B12. Available nationwide in supermarkets and retail stores, Kellogg's Special K Plus cereal has a suggested retail price of $3.79, the same as the popular Special K(TM) brand.

Aug. 30—SYSCO Corporation announced that it has completed the acquisition of Doughtie's Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: DOBQ - news) of Portsmouth, Virginia. Under terms of the agreement, each share of Doughtie's common stock is to be exchanged for $17.00 per share in cash and/or stock. Doughtie's Foods, founded in 1952, generates over $87 million dollars in annual sales. The company, which will be known as Doughtie's SYSCO Food Services, Inc., distributes a full line of institutional food products to over 1,800 customers in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and Delaware. Plans are underway to build a new facility in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Doughtie's SYSCO Food Services, Inc., will operate from that location, servicing all existing Doughtie's customers as well as SYSCO customers in the area that are presently serviced from SYSCO's Pocomoke, Maryland operation.

Aug. 30—Scientists will meet to discuss the future of the beekeeping industry at Apimondia'99, an International Congress to be held in Vancouver, BC, September 12-18, 1999. Of particular importance is the research into honey's promise for use in medicine, and as a functional food ingredient. On Tuesday, September 13, Dr. Peter C. Molan, Associate Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Waikato, N Z will be a keynote speaker. In his presentation, Dr. Molan will present the latest research results of the effectiveness of honey against the antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria that pose problems for infection control in hospitals. For information contact Mary Ann Johnson at 415-268-5421.

Aug. 27—Sara Lee Corporation announced that its board of directors has elected Roderick A. Palmore a senior vice president of the corporation, and R. Henry Kleeman a vice president of the corporation, effective immediately. As announced previously, Palmore succeeds Janet Langford Kelly, senior vice president, general counsel and secretary, who has accepted a management position with Kellogg Company, based in Battle Creek, Michigan. Palmore reports to John H. Bryan, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Sara Lee Corporation.

Aug. 27—The President's Council on Food Safety Strategic Planning Task Force held a public meeting Aug. 26 to discuss the development of an action plan on egg safety. The plan will examine the occurrence of Salmonella enteritidis (SE) in shell eggs and egg products using a farm-to-table approach, and steps which can be taken to reduce it. The task force has proposed a draft interim goal of a 50% reduction in egg-associated SE illnesses by 2005, leading to the eventual elimination of SE in eggs as an important source of human illness through science-based and coordinated regulation, inspection, enforcement, research, and education programs. The action plan will also identify new and existing technologies to control and prevent the presence of pathogens, particularly SE, and steps to enhance their use in the egg industry.

Aug. 26—Eskimo Pie announced that it has signed a non-binding letter of intent to sell the assets of its Flavors Division to Guernsey Bel, Incorporated for $9.5 million. The company has been seeking since April 1999 to identify potential purchasers of the Company's non-core manufacturing assets. In connection with the sale, the Company will also enter into a long-term supply agreement under which the Company will purchase from Guernsey Bel the chocolate coatings, dairy powders and other flavoring ingredients used in the production of the Company's branded ice cream novelties. These products will continue to be produced in the Flavors Division's New Berlin, Wisconsin plant which is being transferred to Guernsey Bel as part of the sale. Guernsey Bel, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is one of the country's largest producers of "inclusions." Inclusions include food products such as chocolate covered nuts, candy crunches and miniaturized bakery products which are used in the production of ice cream and candy. The Company's Flavors Division is a natural extension of the Guernsey Bel product line.

Aug. 26—Campbell Soup Co. has announced that they are introducing a new label for the 70 varieties of condensed soup it markets. The new label has a photograph of a bowl of soup at the center, a recipe on the back and a colored banner to distinguish the soup category. Since 1898, Campbell has only made 14 minor changes to the red-and-white label. The last change was made for select varieties in 1994 to mark the company's 125th anniversary. The Camden-based food maker will formally unveil the redesigned label today in Pittsburgh.

Aug. 26—Tropicana Twister (R) Light is being reformulated with Spenda Brand non-caloric sweetener. The surcalose sweetener is replacing the low-calorie sweetener aspartame. The beverage contains 100% of the daily value for Vitamin C, and only 35-40 calories per 8 fl. oz. serving. The new lineup of juice beverages will be on the store shelves in September.

Aug. 25—The suspicion that all companies have been acquired within the last decade isn't true. Acquisitions are still ongoing. Here's the latest batch: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory announced that it accepted Whitman Candies offer on the second try. Whitman had offered %5.75 per share for the 18-year-old company on May 10, and Rocky opined that it wasn't enough. The second offer, for $6.25 per share, which represents an increase over the Nasdaq price of $6, was accepted by Rocky Mountain's board, subject to stockholder approval. Rocky Mountain operates 200 stores and produces 2 million lb of chocolate a year. Last year, profits were reportedly $400,000 on sales pf $26.2 million . At a different stage of acquisition, Organic Food Products, Inc. announced that the scheduled shareholder's meeting, which was to vote on whether or not to merge with Spectrum Naturals, Inc. was rescheduled fpr September 8, 1999. Reportedly, the delay was to allow shareholders to have enough time to evaluate the merger and other proposals outlined in the proxy.

Aug.25—Clearly Canadian Beverage Corp., the Vancouver, Canada based processor of premium beverages, announced that it will make a normal course issuer bid, permitting the firm to repurchase up to 2% of its outstanding common shares in a given 30-day period. The Company's filing with the Toronto Stock Exchange gives notice that it intends to acquire up to 10%, or up to 538,135 shares of common stock, or about 10% of the outstanding publicly-held stock. Stock will be held for corporate purchases or be cancelled.

Aug. 25—Smithfield Foods, Inc, has reported bet income of $.15 per diluted share for the first quarter of fiscal 2000, compared to a net loss of $.14 per diluted share last year. Sales, up to $1,14 billion during the quarter, compared with $865.8 million for the comparable quarter last year resulted from a 58% increase in processed meats production and a 14% increase in fresh pork production. Smithfield Foods is the largest hog producer and pork processor in the world.

Aug. 25—Ten new entrees, soups, and breakfast items are introduced by Jenny Craig, Inc., bringing the total number of Jenny Craig products to over 100.

Aug. 24—Eskimo Pie Corp. announced that it received on Friday, August 20, 1999, a written proposal from a private investor group, to purchase 100% of the outstanding capital stock of the Company for cash at a purchase price of $10.125 per share. The offer comes on the heels of another offering from the majority shareholder that has a plan to dismantle and sell the company in pieces.

Aug. 24—The Food Irradiation Coalition—a coalition of food industry trade associations, health organizations, academic and consumer groups—filed a petition asking the Food and Drug Administration to extend the use of food irradiation for ready-to-eat meat and poultry products and fruit and vegetable products. The categories of food to be addressed include ready-to-eat meat and poultry products and fruit and vegetable products (including seeds, nuts and sprouts). Specific examples of foods covered by the petition include sprouts and seeds; juices; frozen fruits and vegetable such as broccoli, peas and strawberries; cut and packaged salads; refrigerated ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, such as deli and luncheon meats; hotdogs; dried meat and poultry products, such as beef jerky and turkey jerky; and frozen meat and poultry such as pre-cooked beef patties and pre-cooked frozen fried chicken. The petition points out that food irradiation has been studied and found to be safe and effective by a variety of scientific authorities. A complete copy of the Food Irradiation Coalition's petition is available on the National Food Processors Association's Web site (www.nfpa-food.org)

Aug. 24—An article in the latest issue of Consumer Reports indicates that genetically engineered foods are already on the shelves of American supermarkets in products ranging from baby formulas and tortilla chips to drink mixes, taco shells, veggie burgers, and muffin mix. The findings, reported in the September issue, indicate that American consumers are eating genetically engineered food without knowing it, because unlike Europe, the U.S. does not require labeling. There is no evidence that genetically engineered foods on the market are not safe to eat. However, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Glickman has told Consumer Reports, ``Frankly, if the consumers demand labeling--even if we think it doesn't convey a lot of good stuff--we're probably going to end up with a labeling scheme.'' Consumer Reports went grocery shopping this past winter and spring at stores throughout the country and bought a variety of processed foods containing corn or soybeans, since those crops are the most likely to be genetically engineered.

Aug. 23—Miller Brewing Co. is set to enter the gourmet soft drink market. The company assumed control of three gourmet sodas—root beer, vanilla cream and orange cream—produced under the Henry Weinhard's brand in April through its purchase of beer brands from Stroh Brewery Co. According to Miller, the sodas had double-digit sales growth in 1998, with sales continuing to grow in the first half of 1999.

Aug. 23—Dean Foods Company, a dairy processor and distributor, and White Wave, Inc., a soyfoods company, jointly announced that Dean Foods will become a minority shareholder. The combination will help White Wave to support new product development and to expand marketing initiatives for new audiences. White Wave has annual sales of approximately $21 million. Its product line includes the successful Silk(TM) organic soymilk line, the first nationally distributed fresh, refrigerated soymilk sold in the dairy case. White Wave, Inc., based in Boulder, Colorado, was founded in 1977. One of the largest producers of tofu and the largest producer of tempeh in North America, White Wave's line of products includes: Organic Silk(TM) Soymilk, Silk(TM) Coffee Creamer, Organic Tofu, Organic Tempeh, and baked Tofu. Annual sales for the company are up over 30% in each of the last five years, while some products such as the company's Silk(TM) soymilk line have seen over 100% growth in each of the last three years. For more information, see the White Wave website at www.whitewave.com.

Aug. 23—Paul Schafer Meat Products, Inc., a Baltimore, Md., meat processing firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 35 pounds of sausage that may be contaminated with Salmonella, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced. The product subject to recall is approximately one-pound packages of "Holsteiner Dry Sausage." The package labels have no sell-by date or code, but "EST 2673" appears within the USDA seal of inspection. The product was produced on July 30, 1999, and was distributed only in the Baltimore area. For more information, see the FSIS Recall Page.

Aug. 20—Besnier Scerma USA, a dairy products company, has changed its name to the Lactalis Industrie, USA, Inc. This name change is concurrent with the parent company’s name change to the Lactalis Group. As the parent company grew from being the largest dairy group in Europe to a global company, management felt that they needed a name that was easily pronounced in all languuages.

Aug. 19—Nestle, Inc. has introduced Comfort Proteins(TM) throughout the United States, emphasizing the benefits of Good Start® infant formula's 100 percent whey protein. The product is said to be gentle on a baby's delicate digestive system. The Comfort Proteins in Good Start are 100 percent whey protein, the primary type of protein in breastmilk.

Aug. 19—Food Lion, a Southeastern-based supermarket chain, is buying New England-based Hannaford Bros. Co. and its 152 stores. The move is an additional example of the consolidation taking place in the grocery industry. The company to be created under Wednesday's deal would have more than 1,400 stores from Maine to Florida, and $13.5 billion in annual sales, making it the nation's six-largest food retailer. Other recent examples of the supermarket consolidation are Safeway Inc.'s agreement to buy Randall's Food Markets chain and Kroger Co.'s acquisition of Fred Meyer Inc.

Aug. 18—The Tortilla Industry Association (TIA) announced the findings of a market research study, which confirms the tortilla's standing as the fastest growing segment of the baking industry worldwide, with global sales estimated at more than $6 billion in 1998. Specifically, the survey revealed North American and European tortilla markets continued growth in 1998, with sales surpassing $3.5 billion, and projects sales to reach more than $5.5 billion in the next five years. Respondents to the survey indicated that, in 1998, the growth rate of corn tortilla sales surpassed that of wheat flour tortillas. However, the flour tortilla still reigns as the principal product in the industry. The study, executed by Penn and Associates based in Cleveland, was conducted via telephone interviews with 101 North American and European tortilla manufacturers during the months of April and May 1999. The emergence of wraps (recipes using flour tortillas with a wide variety of non-Hispanic fillings) helps to bridge the transition of tortillas from primarily ethnic recipes to mainstream dishes. For more information about the Tortilla Industry Association, visit the Web site at www.tortilla-info.com.

Aug. 18—Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman unveiled a nationwide food stamp public education campaign and challenged the nation's governors, mayors, and anti-hunger advocacy groups to reach out to individuals and families who are eligible for, but not receiving, food stamp benefits. Since 1995, USDA's food stamp rolls have declined by over 9 million people. The decline is due, in large part, to the robust U.S. economy and the 1996 welfare reform law. However, food stamp participation has declined five times faster than poverty, indicating that there are many people eligible for food stamps who may be living without sufficient food.

Aug. 18—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has released from port-of-entry hold all pork products exported from Belgium. This action was based on information provided by Belgium and the test results for PCBs and dioxin. Between Jan. 1 and May 31, 4,366,442 pounds of pork came to the U.S. from Belgium. Meat and poultry products produced in European Union member states have been on hold at U.S. ports-of-entry since June 3, because feed contaminated with dioxin and PCBs may have been fed to animals in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. The hold was necessary because of concerns that open trading among EU member states may have spread contamination beyond its original boundaries. The Belgian government has documented that all pork used in products processed for the U.S. market originates in Denmark, the Netherlands or other approved countries-no Belgian meat was used in products exported to the U.S. Future shipments of pork products from Belgium will be held and tested for PCBs unless certification is given that the meat originates from an approved third country that is not itself under hold and test restrictions. Such restrictions continue in effect for any product that contains pork from Belgium, France and the Netherlands. Additionally, FSIS lifted import restrictions on meat and poultry products from Austria. Previously, on Aug. 2, FSIS announced release of product from Germany; on July 20, FSIS announced release of product from Spain, France, and the Netherlands; on July 2, FSIS announced release of product from Finland, Ireland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom; on June 18, FSIS announced it was releasing product from Denmark; and on June 11, FSIS released Parma ham from Italy and Serrano ham from Spain because of the long curing times for these products.

Aug. 17—Land O’ Lakes and Swiss Valley Farms have announced plans to partner in a joint venture which would combine the fluid milk and cultured dairy product businesses of the two organizations. The member-owned cooperatives proposed the formation of the alliance on, or about, October 1, 1999. The venture would bring together the two cooperative’s six Midwestern milk and juice bottling plants and two cultured dairy product plants.

Aug. 17—Gas Research Institute and TurboChef Technologies, Inc. have announced the formation of a cooperative agreement for the purpose of developing natural gas-fueled versions of TurboChef’s rapid-cook systems for residential and commercial markets. The TurboChef cooking system uses proprietary hardware and software technologies to "cook-to-order" a variety of foods at faster speeds and with superior quality compared to other currently available ovens. For example, compared with a conventional residential oven, the TurboChef residential system allows consumers to cook quality meals at home in minutes, including 4 bone-in chicken breasts in under 9 vs. 35-45 min., roasted potatoes in under 8 vs. 55-65 min. and a frozen 12’’ pizza in under 4 vs. 20-30 min.

Aug. 16—McCormick Inc. has launched two new seasoning blend lines, McCormick® Flavor Medleys(TM) Saucy Seasoning Blends and McCormick® Spice Blends Coarsely Ground Seasoning Blends. The all-in-one liquid seasoning blends are for use with beef, chicken, fish and pasta. No measuring or advance preparation is required. The coarsely ground seasoning blends are a line of colorful herbs and coarsely textured spices which add regional flavors to foods.

Aug. 16—Kellogg Company announced it will close the south operations of its Battle Creek cereal plant, with the process beginning late this year and concluding in the first quarter of 2000. Kellogg said the action will result in the elimination of approximately half of the current 1,100 hourly and salaried positions at the plant. The company had announced on June 17 that it was considering closing the south operations. In addition to streamlining U.S. operations, the company expects to implement streamlining initiatives in its European supply chain as part of an ongoing efficiency improvement program. As a result of these actions, the company expects to record restructuring charges in 1999 and 2000. The restructuring charges related to the United States actions will be for asset removals and related costs of approximately $100 million to $150 million in the third quarter of 1999 and for employee retirement and separation costs in amounts yet to be determined in the fourth quarter of 1999. The restructuring charges for Europe will be recorded in 2000.

Aug. 13—Smithfield Foods Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary, Smithfield France SAS, has acquired a French processed meats company, Societe Financiere de Gestion et de Participation S.A. (SFGP), doubling the Company's private-label processed meats business in France. SFGP, acquired from Jean Ducatel and minority shareholders, operates Charcuteries Imperator S.A., based near Lyon, and Jean d'Erguet S.A., of Brittany, makers of processed meats such as hams, dry sausage and hot dogs. SFGP sales exceeded $100 million in 1998. Together with Societe Bretonne de Salaisons (SBS), the Company's French processed meats subsidiary acquired in September 1998, Smithfield Foods now holds an 18% share of the private-label market.

Aug. 12—General Mills and Milwaukee-based Gardetto's Bakery, Inc. announced today that General Mills has purchased the family-owned company and the Gardetto's brand name. Gardetto's is a leading national marketer of baked snack mixes and flavored pretzels. Sales of Gardetto's products in 1998 totaled approximately $100 million. Gardetto's employs approximately 235 people. The transaction includes a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Milwaukee, where General Mills intends to continue production. This acquisition is not expected to have a material impact on General Mills' fiscal 2000 earnings. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed.

Aug. 12—According to an Reuters Health report, researchers at a press conference on women, weight, and dieting sponsored by Weight Watchers International, say sensible dieting does not cause eating disorders, and body weight is not genetically predetermined. The findings come from research into the physical and psychological impact of weight management in a 2-year multicenter trial. One of the researchers, Roland L. Weinsier, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, refuted the "set-point" theory of weight regulation. According to many studies, the body's resting metabolic rate is not significantly lowered after weight loss, Weinsier said. He added, "...if a metabolic set-point for body weight exists and prevents maintenance of weight loss, it must also exist to prevent maintenance of weight gain. This is counter-intuitive, given the weight-gain trend observed in the United States.''

Aug. 12—According to a new report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service (ERS), over two-thirds of 66 vulnerable developing countries will face declining per capita food consumption through 2008, by which time well over half of the countries are projected to be unable to meet minimum nutritional food requirements. The report evaluates two aspects of food security—food availability and distribution—and analyzes their trends through 2008 for 66 countries that have been or are potential food aid recipients.

Aug. 11—In May 1998, Gist-brocades became part of the DSM group. From July 1^st, the company will be operating under a new name: DSM Food Specialties. The company is expected to be a strong player in the food ingredients business. To emphasize the continuity in terms of products, people, and service, the Gist-Brocades logo will be retained for some time.

Aug. 11—Riviana Foods Inc. announced that it has acquired the licensed technology that will allow the Company to produce crisped rice used in such products as candies, confections, batters, toppings and health food bars. The purchase includes the equipment to produce the crisped rice, which will be housed in a new facility currently under construction in Carlisle, Arkansas. Production is expected to begin in early 2000.

Aug. 11—Molecular Simulations Inc. (MSI), a subsidiary of Pharmacopeia, Inc., announced that Unilever is the first member of MSI's new Formulations Consortium. The stated purpose of this Consortium, to be comprised of industrial research organizations, is to provide design and information technology tools to help companies match formulated products to customer needs in less time at lower cost. Formulation is critical to the development of drugs, foods, cosmetics, personal care products, detergents, plastics, and specialty chemicals. The Consortium intends to develop a software toolkit for formulations design.

Aug. 11—Building on the momentum of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team World Cup win, The Quaker Oats Company joined forces with the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) to announce the launch of U.S. Soccer® Golden Goals(TM). The new sweetened corn and oat cereal—shaped like mini soccer balls—will feature the U.S. Women's Soccer Team celebrating their World Cup championship on the box. Quaker created U.S. Soccer Golden Goals as a long-term addition to its ready-to-eat cereal line. Hmmm, mini soccer balls—now that sounds tasty.

Aug. 11—In 1925, the Minnesota Valley Canning Company developed the Jolly Green Giant character as a product trademark for an unusually large variety of pea. Now, the Green Giant character symbolizes not only a product, but the entire company. During an anniversary celebration event, the company previewed a new advertising campaign featuring the Giant. After a seven-year hiatus, the icon makes his return to advertising with a full-blown print campaign beginning mid-August. The national print slogans were showcased and take a humorous approach to the Jolly Green Giant's position and longevity with the company. Ok, Ok, this is a slight news item, but I think the Giant is pretty cool.

Aug. 10—Schmalbach-Lubeca has announced a September 1999 startup date for its new Allentown, Pa. facility. Production will mostly consist of heat-set (narrow neck and wide mouth) containers for a variety of food and beverage applications and traditional PET soft drink bottles.

Aug. 10—Kemin Industries, a manufacturer of specialty feed and food technology, and Interlink Associates, a biotechnology research and technology transfer company, have announced that they have formed a joint biotechnology company, Interlink Biotechnologies. Research at the new company will focus on the development of new and unique enzyme products for animal feed and human food products. Product targets include new drugs, genes for genetically enhanced crops, enzymes, and other natural products to enhance the nutritional and nutraceutical value of human food and animal feed.

Aug. 10—Michael Foods, Inc. has announced that it has sold its Hudson, CO shell egg production facility to Sparboe Companies of Litchfield, MN for an undisclosed sum. The sale resulted from Michael Foods’ Egg Products Division’s strategic focus on value-added egg products processing, which the facility did not offer.

Aug. 10—Chr. Hansen A/S has announced the creation of a new global division to focus on the growing functional foods and nutraceutical markets. The Human Health Croup will be responsible for the development and marketing of probiotics, phytonutrients, and other health promoting ingredients to the dietary supplement, pharmaceutical, and functional foods business.

Aug. 9—Jac Pac Foods, a Manchester, N.H., meat processing company, is voluntarily recalling approximately 250,000 pounds of frozen beef patties, frozen hamburger patties, and ground beef. The patties may be contaminated with a potentially harmful strain of E. coli O157, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Friday. The recalled products bear "EST 785" within the U. S. Department of Agriculture seal of inspection. The products involved are five-pound and 10-pound boxes of beef patties with UPC codes 7060600246 and 7060600461, respectively, and with product manufacturing date codes of 00924 and 00934. For more information, see the FSIS Recall Page.

Aug. 6—Unilever resumed its top-line growth in the second quarter 1999, with sales improving three percent over last year. Operating profit before exceptional items grew 18% to 1,249 million dollars, reflecting an improvement in overall margin from 9.3% to 10.5%. Net profit for the quarter before exceptional items was 809 million dollars, an 11% increase; after exceptional items it rose 3%. In the quarter, sales and profits in Asia and Pacific advanced strongly as the economies returned to growth. North America delivered good sales and profits growth and the businesses in Africa and Middle East also performed well. Sales were marginally ahead in Western Europe, but the continuing economic crisis in Russia left overall European sales flat. The sales increase in Latin America was constrained by the economic slowdown.

Aug. 6—According to an AP report, Tyson Foods is suing Con-Agra, Inc. Tyson claims the other processer has made a concerted effort to raid key personnel to obtain trade secrets. The suit was filed in Washington County Circuit Court here against Con-Agra, based in Omaha, Neb., and four former Tyson employees.

Aug. 6—Sara Lee Corporation today announced results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended July 3, 1999. Net sales for fiscal 1999 surpassed $20 billion for the second consecutive year, rising slightly above revenues for fiscal 1998. Corporate unit volumes increased 7%, including companies acquired over the last 12 months, and rose 4% excluding acquisitions. Base business unit volumes rose in all core operations, except packaged meats, with particular strength in the company's Branded Apparel and Household and Body Care product lines. Unit sales gains exceeded dollar increases due to deflationary pricing in packaged meats and coffee, combined with the impact of a stronger dollar relative to key foreign currencies. Operating income for the fiscal year totaled $1.9 billion, while net income increased 4% to $1.1 billion. Diluted earnings per share were $1.21, a 9% increase over fiscal 1998.

Aug. 6—A study released in the August issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports that replacing carbohydrates with protein may reduce the risk for ischemic heart disease.

Aug. 6—In what the Center for Disease Control calls one of the major public health achievements of the 20th century, age-adjusted death rates from cardiovascular diseases have declined 60% since 1950 and account for approximately 73% of the decline in all causes of deaths during the same period. In 1996, there were 621,000 fewer deaths from coronary heart disease than would have been expected had the rate remained at its 1963 peak. Trends associated with fewer deaths from heart disease and stroke include the decline in cigarette smoking, decreases in blood pressure levels in the U.S. population, an increase in the percentage of people with hypertension who have the condition under control, and decreased levels of cholesterol in the blood.

Aug. 5—An ongoing collaboration between federal agencies is already creating a coordinated food safety system, making the creation of a new bureaucracy "unnecessary," according to the Grocery Manufacturers of America. In testimony before a Senate subcommittee examining proposals to create a single federal food safety agency, GMA said that the President's Council on Food Safety should be allowed to finish its work at uniting a single budget and research plan for the federal government. "Before embarking upon on an expensive, disruptive reorganization -- a purely bureaucratic initiative with no guaranteed improvements in food safety -- we owe it to the American people to see if the Council's strategic plan and related activities can address any challenges that exist and move the country to a new level of food safety and protection," said Dr. Stacey Zawel, GMA Vice President, Scientific and Regulatory Policy. Zawel's testimony before the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, Restructuring, and the District of Columbia will be available on-line at www.gmabrands.com.

Aug. 5—Burger King Corporation unveiled its new national broadcast advertising campaign, which uses humor and live action vignettes at or near Burger King restaurants, to show how the company will go to great lengths to deliver food just the way the customer wants it. The new campaign builds on the taste message created by the company's three-year food and music campaign and leverages the company's taste superiority through a long-time equity, Have It Your Way. The advertising also features a new logo, created by the New York-based Sterling Group. The design modernized its logo by giving the impression of the burger bursting out from the buns and placing it on an angle to add motion, energy and direction. The introduction of a new color element, a blue crescent, surrounds the bun to add dimension.

Aug. 4--The Campbell Soup Co. Ltd. has sold the Canadian AI Steak Sauce business to Intercorp Excelle Inc.for an undisclosed purchase price. The Canadian version of the popular condiment, which has sales of $100 million throughout North America, is sold as "Original" and "Tex Mex." Intercorp's primary brand is Renee's Gourmet brand, including its No 1 ranked line of refrigerated salad dressings.

Aug. 4--SYSCO Corp. reported an increase of 14% earnings per share to $1.08 on sales of $17.4 billion. Net earnings for the fiscal year, ending July 3, 1999 reached $362.3 million, and 11.5% jump over last year's earnings. The reason for the increase, according to CEO Bill M. Lindig, is American's love affair with eating out, although the industry gained less than half as much as did SYSCO. Recent acquisitions of Buckhead Beef Co., Doughtie's Foods, Inc., and Newport Meat Co. added to interest in "center of the plate" activity, according to Lindig. SYSCO is the largest foodservice marketing and distribution organization in North America.

Aug. 4--Cefdex, the global e-market for food and drink industries appointed former Tropicana CEO Ellen Marram to head up the business-to-business e-commerce trading market. Marram, who was also the CEO of the Nabisco Brand's divison and who triggered the Snackwell's launch. Efdex is headquartered in Stamford, CT and partners with IMB for a global software platform with integrated transactional system. Efdex can be found on-line at http://www.efdex.com.

Aug. 4--Special K Plus, a fruited, multi-grain cereal that provides 600 mg calcium per serving before you pour on the milk, says Kellogg's spokesperson Meghan Parkhurst. According to Parkhurst, the calcium content goes up to 750 mg when milk is added. Kellogg has designed the cereal for the 3 out of 4 Americans who don't get enough calcium, and are concerned about osteoporosis. The new cereal will be on the shelves by the end of August, and will cost about the same as regular Special K. Cereal sales have been relatively flat over the last year, and Kellogg hopes that the new calcium-powered cereal will boost their share of market.

Aug. 3—Technology Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. announced its financial results of operations for the second quarter ended June 30, 1999. Net sales increased to $3,793,000 for the second quarter of 1999 from $3,602,000 for last year's comparable quarter and increased to $7,435,000 for the six-month period ended June 30, 1999 from $7,190,000 for the six-month period of the prior year. Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, increased to 45.0% for the second quarter of 1999 from 43.5% for last year's comparable quarter and increased to 44.2% for the six-month period ended June 30, 1999 from 42.1% for the six-month period of the prior year.

Imperial Sugar Co., formerly Imperial Holly Corporation, today announced results for its fiscal 1999 third quarter ended June 30, 1999. For the fiscal 1999 third quarter, the Company reported net income of $6,654,000 or $0.21 per diluted share, compared to net income of $5,275,000 or $0.19 per diluted share in the comparable quarter a year ago. The average number of shares outstanding for the 1999 fiscal third quarter rose 19% to 32,190,208 from 27,043,121 in the same period of 1998, reflecting the shares issued in connection with the acquisition of Diamond Crystal Specialty Foods in November, 1998.

Tyson Foods, Inc. reported a 50% increase in diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended July 3, 1999, to $0.30 from $0.20 in the comparable quarter last year. Third quarter earnings increased $21.8 million to $68.4 million from $46.6 million for the same period last year. The Company previously announced the sale of its seafood operations which closed July 17, 1999. Excluding the loss on the sale of the seafood business totaling $16.6 million ($10.5 million after-tax), third quarter earnings were $78.9 million or $0.34 diluted earnings per share.

Aug. 3—Brown-Forman Beverages Worldwide President William M. Street announced the promotion of David W. Higgins from president to chairman of the company's Wine Group. In addition, Thomas P. Burnet was named to succeed Higgins as Wine Group president. Burnet will report to Higgins until Higgins retires in February of 2000.

Aug. 2—Biospherics Inc., Beltsville, Maryland, has announced that MD Foods Ingredients, the Danish licensee of the Firm's low-calorie, full-bulk sweetener, tagatose, is planning a limited study to expedite the "GRAS" (Generally Recognized As Safe) approval process of the product. The study is designed to bring closure to issues before the GRAS Panel regarding the deep market penetration and very widespread human consumption anticipated. MDFI expects the reporting of its results to the Panel, before or around the end of 1999, to enable a favorable GRAS determination.

Aug. 2—SYSCO Corp., the leading foodservice marketer and distributor in North America, said today that the acquisition of Newport Meat Company, announced July 9, has been completed. Newport Meat, of Irvine, California, has annual sales of approximately $100 million and is a leading distributor of Certified Angus Beef(TM) products. The company is considered the largest independent supplier of fine meats, poultry and seafood to foodservice operators in the southern California market. Its customer base includes about 1,000 "white tablecloth" restaurants, luxury hotels and resorts, private clubs and gourmet food stores.

Aug. 2—Gerber, the nation's largest maker of baby food, has announced that it will no longer buy genetically engineered corn and soybean products from suppliers. Gerber's parent company, Novartis AG of Switzerland, said it was considering the move even before the environmental group Greenpeace asked for information about the company's use of bioengineered products.

Aug. 2—Gerrity’s Supermarket, a Kingston, Penn., processing establishment is voluntarily recalling approximately 200 pounds of hot dogs that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The products being recalled are Gerrity’s brand "Old Fashioned Hot Dogs," in individually wrapped one-pound packages that bear "EST #4314" inside the USDA inspection mark. The hot dogs were also sold at the Gerrity’s Supermarket delicatessen counters by bulk weight and bear no codes. The hot dogs were sold between July 19-29.

Aug. 2—Loeffler’s Gourmet, Inc., a Trenton, N.J., processing firm is voluntarily recalling approximately 200 pounds of sausage that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The product subject to recall is "Loeffler’s Roasting Sausage," packaged in five-pound packages. The packages do not have any identifying codes. The product was produced on July 19, and was distributed only in the Trenton area from the Loeffler’s Gourmet, Inc., retail outlet located at 482 Whitehead Road.