Perimeter

WASHINGTON -- In response to the processed and fresh fruit and vegetable industry's need to supplement internal quality control programs, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has established a new Quality Monitoring Program (QMP) that permits companies to submit specific processed produce samples for review to graders from USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Wegmans last month began offering Wegmans' Italian Classics Novello Extra Virgin Olive Oil, priced at $7.99 per 16.9-ounce bottle. The oil is available while supplies last, according to the company, adding that the next shipment isn't until January 2009.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Wegmans last month began offering Wegmans' Italian Classics Novello Extra Virgin Olive Oil, priced at $7.99 per 16.9-ounce bottle. The oil is available while supplies last, according to the company, adding that the next shipment isn't until January 2009.

The ascent of noncarbonated offerings continues to transform the soft drink aisle.

The ascent of noncarbonated offerings continues to transform the soft drink aisle.

The ascent of noncarbonated beverages continues to transform the soft drink aisle.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. -- Kings Super Markets here will feature tropical mangosteen fruit imported from Thailand, starting tomorrow. Until now, the rare reddish-purple fruit, which Kings says tastes "something like a strawberry-orange smoothie," was previously allowed into the United States, due to fears that it couls harbor the Asian fruit fly, but irradiated imports from Thailand have been permitted by the USDA since July 2007.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. -- Kings Super Markets here will feature tropical mangosteen fruit imported from Thailand, starting tomorrow. Until now, the rare reddish-purple fruit, which Kings says tastes "something like a strawberry-orange smoothie," was previously allowed into the United States, due to fears that it couls harbor the Asian fruit fly, but irradiated imports from Thailand have been permitted by the USDA since July 2007.