Loss Prevention

BUDA, Texas - H-E-B supermarkets have discontinued handing out game tokens while a federal agency investigates a claim of a child nearly choking on one of the coins.

Nash Finch has filed a lawsuit alleging that "person or persons unknown--possibly employees--posted confidential information" about the company on a Yahoo! message board. The Edina, Minn.-based company's suit claims "breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets" and stipulates that if "the defendants turn out to be current or former employees, they would have violated Nash Finch's Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and Associate Handbook."

Flooz.com, a purveyor of online currency used as electronic giftcertificates, officially ceased operations over the weekend,according to its chief executive, Robert Levitan. It fell victim to asoftening economy and a sour investment atmosphere. But Internetfraud may have sped its demise, a person close to the company said.