Healthcare

CARLISLE, Pa. - Shoppers at 17 Giant Food Stores in the Harrisburg, Pa. area will be eligible for rebates on selected healthier foods and other products bought between Oct. 24 and Dec. 4. Additionally, members of the HealthAmerica and HealthAssurance health insurance plans will receive a gift and be eligible for prize drawings when they buy rebate-eligible products.

DES MOINES, Iowa ¿ Facing the same flu vaccine shortage as pharmacy operators across the nation, Hy-Vee is asking its pharmacists to follow the recommendations of the CDC and the Iowa Department of Public Health for targeting high-risk patients for vaccination.

RALEIGH, N.C. - Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market, known for its selection of organics and other healthy fare, yesterday announced the opening of the Whole Foods Market Gluten-Free Bakehouse, the company's first dedicated gluten-free baking facility.

MINNEAPOLIS - General Mills said yesterday that it will begin to make all of its Big G breakfast cereals with whole grain, the first leading food manufacturer in the category to do so.

Childhood obesity is a complex problem, but supermarkets can be part of the solution.

NEWARK, Del. - Reinforcing the call it made earlier this year urging the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Committee (DGAC) to strengthen its guideline on produce consumption, the Produce Marketing Association this week applauded the DGAC's efforts in reinforcing the importance of fruits and vegetables in the new guidelines.

BOISE, Idaho - Albertsons, Inc. has been hit by a suit from San Diego, Calif.-based consumer advocacy group Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, which accuses the retailer of selling prescription information to drug companies without informing customers.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. - Phil Lempert, known by both consumers and the food industry as the "Supermarket Guru" and an expert analyst on consumer, marketing, and food safety trends, yesterday launched the Food Allergy Buddy (FAB) Dining Card, a free, personalized ingredient card that consumers can present at restaurants and supermarket deli and prepared food sections, detailing their specific food allergies.