Nonfoods

WASHINGTON - After presiding over numerous fact-finding discussions with more than 70 different trade and producer groups, the U.S. Agriculture Department yesterday issued its proposed rules for the congressionally mandated country-of-origin labeling (COOL) program that was required by the 2002 Farm Bill.

DENVER - The founders of Wild Oats Markets have collected their favorite qualities from competitors to create Sunflower Market, a new low-priced natural foods prototype, the Denver Post reports.

LANDOVER, Md. - Giant and Super G customers will have a unique opportunity to help feed needy families this holiday season by purchasing You Can Help Hunger Boxes, which will be available for purchase from Oct. 26 through Nov. 16.

LOS ANGELES - A California woman has filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against the J.M. Smucker Co. claiming that its label, "Simply 100 percent fruit," is misleading since its spreadable jam is less than half fruit, Reuters reports.

BOISE, Idaho - Albertsons was honored on Thursday at the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2003 Awards and Recognition Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Applebee's International Inc. has filed a lawsuit against Nestle SA, accusing the food company of infringing the restaurant chain's "Skillet Sensations" trademark.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. -- In honor of the 20th anniversary of its Kings Cooking Studio, Kings Super Markets here has created a cookbook featuring over 160 recipes and 115 color photos arranged in seasonal meal themes prepared by the chain's Cooking Studio teachers and guest chefs.

MONTVALE, N.J. -- The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. here has terminated its longtime contract with Di Giorgio Corp. as its food distributor in an effort to save money, according to a report in yesterday's Star-Ledger newspaper.