Nonfoods

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a bid to fend off mandatory regulation and potential litigation amid an epidemic of childhood obesity, 11 food companies yesterday said they would set voluntary controls on their marketing to children.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. -- Baby food company Gerber here has issued a recall of about half a million eight-ounce packs of organic rice and oatmeal cereal because of babies could choke on the product.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. -- Baby food company Gerber here has issued a recall of about half a million eight-ounce packs of organic rice and oatmeal cereal because of babies could choke on the product.

DALLAS - Armando Martin, head of multicultural marketing for SuperValu, the huge food retailer and wholesaler, is a late addition to the speaker lineup at the third annual Hispanic Retail 360 Summit, August 1-3, 2007, at the Westin Park Central Hotel in Dallas.

DALLAS - Armando Martin, head of multicultural marketing for SuperValu, the huge food retailer and wholesaler, is a late addition to the speaker lineup at the third annual Hispanic Retail 360 Summit, August 1-3, 2007, at the Westin Park Central Hotel in Dallas.

Natick, Mass. -- Aided by solid food sales, BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. yesterday reported June 2007 net sales of $886.8 million, a 9.8 increase from the year-ago period's $807.3 million. Comparable -club sales rose 5.3 percent, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 1.4 percent and an adverse effect of 0.4 percent from the absence of pharmacy sales vs. last year. For June 2006, the retailer posted a comparable-club sales dip of 0.1 percent, including a contribution from gas sales of 2.1 percent.

CINCINNATI -- As part of its continuing leadership in the fight against hunger, the Kroger Co. here is inviting customers to join in "Bringing Hope to the Table," a two-week campaign running this month in every store to support America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization.

CINCINNATI -- As part of its continuing leadership in the fight against hunger, the Kroger Co. here is inviting customers to join in "Bringing Hope to the Table," a two-week campaign running this month in every store to support America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization.