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BOULDER, Colo. - Wild Oats Markets Inc., a leading national natural and organic foods retailer, today announced Edward F. Dunlap has been named chief financial officer of the company, effective Dec. 17, 2001.

LONDON - Baby Boomers who are concerned with their health are fueling a sharp rise in demand for functional foods or "nutraceuticals," according to a report published today by market research firm Datamonitor.

WASHINGTON - The obesity epidemic in America may soon overtake tobacco as the leading cause of preventable deaths, Surgeon General David Satcher warned today. He looked to schools, the fast-food industry and communities to eat healthier and exercise more.

NEW YORK - The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it will not close meat processing plants that violate its salmonella safety standard, The Wall Street Journal reported today.

MANILA - The Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc. (CCBPI), a joint venture between beer giant San Miguel Corp. and The Coca-Cola Co., said today it was eyeing deals with Swiss food firm Nestle S.A. and Walt Disney to expand its non-carbonated drinks line, Reuters reports.

WASHINGTON - The Food and Drug Administration on Friday recalled 16,000 packages of mini-cup gel candies sold nationwide because they were deemed a choking hazard, Reuters reports.

STELLARTON, NOVA SCOTIA and TORONTO, ONTARIO - Sobeys Inc., Canada's second largest retail grocer and distributor, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell substantially all of the assets of its SERCA foodservice operations to SYSCO Corporation, the largest foodservice marketing and distribution company in North America.

NORCROSS, Ga. - Tyco International said today its health care division is buying Paragon Trade Brands Inc., the largest generic maker of disposable diapers in the United States and Canada, for $565 million, The Associated Press reports.