Associations

NEW YORK - James (Jim) P. McCaffrey, the immediate past chairman of the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade and long-time specialty food industry veteran, died on Jan. 30, 2004, at the age of 69 at the Sand Lake Hospital in Orlando, Fla.

LOS ANGELES - Negotiators in Southern California's long-running grocery strike prepare to return to the table this week for the first time in nearly two months, the Associated Press reports.

WASHINGTON - The Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) has petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish new regulations for carbohydrate nutrient content claims.

NORTHBROOK, Ill. - Industry leaders will share their insights on the future of the low-carbohydrate trend at an upcoming conference sponsored by the Low Carb Manufacturers Alliance (LCMA), a new organization created for major brands servicing the low-carb lifestyle. The event, which co-sponsored by Progressive Grocer, will be held April 13 in Rosemont, Ill.

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration today proposed funding of $441 million for programs to fight mad cow disease, bioterrorism and other threats to U.S. food security, Reuters reports.

LOS ANGELES -Albertsons Inc., Kroger Co.'s Ralphs stores and Safeway Inc.'s Vons said the lawsuit being filed against them today by the California attorney general is without merit, Dow Jones Newswire reports.

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota Grocers Association is re-submitting a proposal to the 2004 Minnesota Legislature to allow wine sales in grocery stores.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last week that it plans to revamp its regulations for bioengineered foods next year. The new rules are considered to be broader than the existing regulations.