Nonfoods

WASHINGTON - On the heels of controversial statements about the safety of the food supply made by outgoing U.S. Secretary Of Health And Human Services Tommy Thompson last Friday, the federal government announced new rules aimed at helping trace the source of contaminated food, particularly in the event of a bioterrorist attack on the nation¿s food supply.

MILWAUKEE - Roundy's is rolling out a new policy requiring employees at all of the company's grocery stores to check the identifications of anyone seeking to purchase alcohol or tobacco -- no matter how old the consumer appears.

WASHINGTON - Audits by the Food Marketing Institute's Safe Quality Food (SQF) program will now provide consumers and retailers with an extra measure of protection through a new technology partnership with Steton, a global leader in food safety and quality assurance software.

TYLER, Texas - Brookshire Grocery Co. has deployed an automated system to manage the discount and rebate processes of its large suppliers, including Kraft Foods, General Mills, and Procter and Gamble.

PLEASANTON, Calif. - Safeway, Inc. said yesterday that Raymond G. Viault had been appointed to its board of directors. Viault, the retired vice chairman of General Mills, will succeed Hector Ley Lopez, who is retiring from the board on Dec. 15.

WASHINGTON ¿ Farm-friendly Nebraska governor Mike Johanns has been named the new secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture by President Bush, pending confirmation. The Republican governor will succeed Ann M. Veneman, who recently announced her resignation.

LAKELAND, Fla. - Building on plans to expand its distribution capacity, Publix Super Markets, Inc. here said it would construct a perishable warehouse and distribution center in Punta Gorda, Fla.

LOS ANGELES - Federal authorites have cracked the case of a Southern California resident who tried to extort $180,000 from Ralphs by threatening to tamper with food products and plant them in the retailer¿s stores.