Nestle SA

Swiss food and beverages giant Nestle SA today expressed interest in taking full control of the Haagen-Dazs ice cream business by buying the 50 percent stake owned by its partner in the venture, Pillsbury Co., the Associated Press reported.

In the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11, the member companies of the Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) continue efforts to provide major financial contributions as well as truckloads of food, beverages and other essential needs for the victims of this tragedy.

A diverse group of antitrust experts, national consumer organizations and major farm groups have joined forces to announce their opposition to Nestle's $10.1 billion merger with Ralston Purina. If regulators approve the deal, Swiss-based Nestle would become the world's biggest pet food company and control roughly 45 percent of the $7 billion U.S. pet food market.

(Reuters) - Consumer products maker Colgate-Palmolive Co. said today that its second-quarter net income rose 9.6 percent as higher margins offset the effects of weak foreign currencies that led to flat sales.

(Reuters) - Ralston Purina Co., the largest U.S. pet food maker, said on Monday that fiscal third-quarter net earnings rose nearly 27 percent, driven by firm sales volumes in all segments of its business and lower interest expenses.