Hershey Co.

Sugar-free candies, gums, and mints are addressing a major market as diabetics, dieters, and the health-conscious provide a ready-made consumer base.

HERSHEY, Pa. - Hershey Foods Corp., the world's largest chocolate maker, said on Wednesday quarterly results swung to a profit on lower costs, a change in accounting rules, and a modest bump in sales as consumers bought more candy before a price hike, Reuters reports.

PLANO, Texas - Dr Pepper/Seven Up Inc. plans to begin selling milk in flavors such as chocolate caramel and pina colada in March, The Associated Press reports.

DALLAS - Dean Foods' Morningstar Foods division has received aseptic approval from the FDA for beverages produced on the company's Stork filler line in Mt. Crawford, Va. The Stork bottle filling technology extends the shelf life of dairy-based beverages processed on this line to 180 days and allows these products to be stored and shipped at ambient temperatures.

NEW YORK - As a Pennsylvania appellate court prepares to hear arguments on the sale of Hershey Foods Corp., Nestle SA and Cadbury PLC continue to discuss the terms of a potential joint bid for the company, people close to the situation told The Wall Street Journal.

ZURICH, Switzerland - Swiss food and beverage company Nestle SA today declined to comment on a report it made a preliminary bid of around $11.5 billion for U.S. chocolate company Hershey Foods Corp., Dow Jones Newswires reports.

NEW YORK - Two of the world's biggest food companies - Nestle and Kraft Foods - are expected to lead the pursuit of Hershey Foods, whose controlling shareholder announced it would be selling its stake in the renowned chocolate-maker.

HERSHEY, Pa. - The controlling stockholder of Hershey Foods Corp., the Milton Hershey School Trust, has confirmed it is exploring steps to divest itself of its interests in the company.