Nonfoods

SALINAS, Calif. -- Fresh Express based here will fund nine research teams up to $250,000 each to study the E. coli O157:H7 pathogen to advance science-based practices to prevent its occurrence in fresh produce.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Grocery sales, a higher average ticket, and an earlier Easter holiday helped Wal-Mart Stores boost March same-store sales at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club units by 4 percent. Total sales, including international sales, rose 11.7 percent to $34.26 billion.

SALINAS, Calif. -- Fresh Express based here will fund nine research teams up to $250,000 each to study the E. coli O157:H7 pathogen to advance science-based practices to prevent its occurrence in fresh produce.

WASHINGTON -- E. coli and Salmonella infections are on the rise in the United States, but other foodborne illnesses appear to be leveling off, according to a new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Shaw's Supermarkets here is reportedly testing new earth-friendly juice extractors that squeeze water and juice from fruits and vegetables that would otherwise be discarded, producing a pulp that can be used by consumers and farmers as free compost or animal food.

CHICAGO -- The Perishables Group, a specialty consulting firm based here, has beefed up its staff with four new members.

DAVIS, Calif. -- Representatives from the country's leading produce trade associations and California Dept. of Food and Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura have unveiled plans to create a Center for Produce Safety at the University of California here.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. yesterday unveiled a "unique" three-level, 205,700-square-foot unit in its fourth so-called "jobs and opportunity zone" in Richmond, Calif. The store is inside a formerly vacant space at Richmond's Hilltop Mall.