Nonfoods

DURBAN, South Africa -- Leaders of a newly formed global alliance challenged participants of the 18th International Congress of Nutrition that took place here to put their influence behind the "eat more fruits and vegetables" message to combat obesity and chronic diseases.

AUSTIN, Texas -- As Whole Foods Market here officially launches its Whole Baby program and educational lecture series, the natural and organic foods supermarket is also sharing findings from an online consumer survey it commissioned to evaluate the attitudes and concerns of expectant and new moms. Surveyed moms-to-be were more likely to take vitamins and consume less caffeine; and almost 25 percent said they started eating natural and organic foods during pregnancy.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Food retailers are expanding pharmacy operations in size and scope during a period of regulatory reform and competition from alternative sources, according to a new report from the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), 2005 Supermarket Pharmacy Trends.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Wegmans here has begun carrying "value-priced" Top Care branded private label products in its HBC section, including skin care, children's cough and cold, first aid, oral care, and foot care items, said Wegmans director of consumer affairs Mary Ellen Burris in her online column at http://www.wegmans.com.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Sales of hemp foods have increased by at least 47 percent overall during the year since the Hemp Industries Association (HIA) successfully beat the Drug Enforcement Administration's attempt to ban hemp foods.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Natural Products Expo East is returning to its roots next year, as the popular organic and natural products trade show relocates its annual East Coast expo to Baltimore, and simultaneously joins forces with the National Nutritional Foods Association East (NNFA East) to boost natural products retailer presence.

NORTHFIELD, Ill.-- At California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Summit on Health, Nutrition and Obesity last week, Kraft Foods Inc., based here, was named a member of the event's honor roll, a distinction reserved for a select group of companies that have immediately responded to the governor's call for reform.

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- Price Chopper stores in Syracuse, N.Y. and Burlington, Vt. will offer shoppers free refrigerator thermometers beginning Sunday, Sept. 25.