Legislative, Regulatory & Legal

CINCINNATI - Procter & Gamble Co. on Friday filed a lawsuit against Coca-Cola Co. alleging that the soft drink maker and former joint venture partner is infringing on patented technology that adds calcium to fruit juices, Reuters reports.

CINCINNATI - As part of its continued expansion in Texas, The Kroger Co. on Monday announced it has reached an agreement to purchase seven Winn-Dixie supermarkets in the Dallas Metroplex.

CINCINNATI and BOISE, Idaho - The Kroger Co. and Albertson's on Friday said separately that they continue to support the Food Marketing Institute's development of an animal welfare program and will require their suppliers to adopt the program's "best practice" guidelines when they are issued by FMI in early summer.

WASHINGTON - Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman is expected today to urge U.S. meat, poultry and egg plants to seal shipments and take other steps to protect the nation's food supply from deliberate contamination, Reuters reports.

CINCINNATI - The Kroger Co. has become the latest target of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), as the animal rights group persuades businesses to adopt tougher policies on the mistreatment of animals, the Cincinnati Post reports.

MEXICO CITY - Mexico's antitrust agency is considering an investigation of the country's leading mass merchandiser, Wal-Mart de Mexico SA, to determine whether the firm used its market power to squeeze suppliers, The Associated Press reports.

CINCINNATI - Sara Lee Corp. today said it has settled a federal discrimination suit alleging racial discrimination at a food processing plant in Philadelphia for $3.5 million.

NEW YORK - Several leading supermarket chains pulled from their Colorado stores a National Enquirer issue that came out on Friday featuring graphic photos of the students who staged the 1999 Columbine school shooting, Reuters reports.