Nonfoods

Newark, Del. -- The Produce Marketing Association stated a preference for an industry-driven, voluntarysystem for country of origin labeling (COOL) in its comments offered yesterday to the USDA.

NEW YORK - At least four major foodmakers -- Kraft Foods, Tyson Foods, General Mills and H.J. Heinz -- have acknowledged that they are cooperating with federal investigations into possible accounting fraud at U.S. Foodservice, Ahold's food distribution business.

ST. LOUIS - As part of its ongoing strategy to streamline operations and improve profitability, food marketer Aurora Foods Inc. has reduced its corporate staff by 25 percent.

NEW YORK - A number of produce and packaged food providers to Fleming Cos Inc. on Thursday said the bankrupt grocery distributor could not use the money they are owed, citing a Depression-era law.

ATLANTA - One of the nation's most innovative convenience store retailers, Wawa, Inc. has launched a new customer self-service kiosk solution from Radiant Systems, Inc. in more than 500 of its stores throughout Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

New York, NY - Today's global consumers connect with brand franchises that symbolize trust, offer a specific expertise, and group products logically, according to a study released today by ACNielsen, the world's leading marketing information company.

NEW YORK - Less than two months after losing its biggest supply contract to Kmart Corp., Fleming Cos. Inc. filed for bankruptcy protection this morning, according court papers filed in Delaware.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.- The NPD Group, Inc.-- Though many consumers are curbing discretionary spending to factors ranging from rising gas prices to war worries, they are least likely to alter their spending on products affecting their appearance like cosmetics, skincare, and apparel, according to findings from a recent consumer survey by The NPD Group.