Nonfoods

WASHINGTON - Democrats on Tuesday pressed Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman to swiftly produce a plan to identify individually each of America's 96 million cattle.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed the Omnibus Appropriations bill, which officially delays enforcement of the current mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) law for two years, until Sept. 30, 2006. The bill now moves to the President for signature.

ST. LOUIS - Aurora Foods Inc. today announced plans to combine operations with Pinnacle Foods Holding Corp. after Aurora's pending reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and its previously announced merger with Pinnacle.

CHICAGO - The United States is objecting to a draft plan by the World Health Organization to fight the worldwide obesity epidemic, causing harsh international criticism and allegations that the U.S. food industry is behind the policy, the Chicago Tribune reports.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Spartan Stores Inc. announced yesterday that it will consolidate its retail grocery banners to streamline operations and create a stronger, more unified brand identity.

PORTLAND, Ore.- Healthnotes, Inc. today announced that Clemens Family Markets is the first supermarket chain to roll out the new Healthnotes EasyAnswers Touchscreen kiosks in-store.

TOKYO - Seiyu, the troubled Japanese supermarket group in which Wal-Mart holds 37.8 percent, today announced it would cut up to 25 percent of its full-time workforce as part of an ongoing reorganization, according to published reports.

WASHINGTON - Associations for the nation's leading produce, beef, pork and seafood producers, along with food retailers and wholesalers, are joining forces to craft a cost-effective, voluntary program that would provide consumers country of origin information.