Nonfoods

WASHINGTON - Auditors at Deloitte & Touche became aware of potential accounting irregularities at U.S. Foodservice Inc. after at least two of the company's suppliers disputed rebate figures, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the situation.

YOKOHAMA, Japan - A group of international food experts on Friday agreed on a framework for assessing the risks of biotech foods, establishing global guidelines that could help shape countries' food policies and influence trade disputes, Reuters reports.

WASHINGTON - For the fourth consecutive time, Worldwide Food Expo, a trade show sponsored by several leading food industry associations, has been accepted into the prestigious International Buyer Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

AMSTERDAM -- Ahold, will erase $30 billion in reported sales when it corrects the way it accounts for joint ventures, the Financial Times reported today.

CHICAGO -- Shares of Nash Finch Co. rose more than 59 percent on Wednesday after the food distributor said U.S. regulators would not object to how it accounts for certain vendor charges.

GERMANY - A German discount chain is offering complete wedding packages to its customers for 1,500 pounds ($2,417), according to a published report.

AMSTERDAM--News accounts of talk that Royal Ahold executives had long been aware of accounting irregularities at the world's second-largest retailer caused its stock price to fall 10 percent in Amsterdam Monday, Reuters reports.

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands - Royal Ahold NV told federal regulators on Thursday that its accountant, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, no longer stands behind its audits for 2000 and 2001. The latest announcement raises questions about whether problems with the company's financial statements began earlier than had been acknowledged.