Research & Analysis

ZURICH - Swiss healthcare group Novartis AG and U.S. drinks and snack food giant PepsiCo Inc. have ended their functional foods joint venture less than two years after its launch, Reuters reports.

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. - Fresh Brands Inc. today reported record sales and earnings per share for its fiscal year ended Dec. 29, 2001.

QUINCY, and RANDOLPH, Mass. - The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company and Dunkin' Donuts today announced a strategic alliance in which Dunkin' Donuts will open full-service stores in Stop & Shop locations throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. has appointed W. Robert Baxley as Jacksonville division manager. Baxley was previously vice president of deli/bakery merchandising for the company.

TORONTO - Canada's largest grocery chain, Loblaw Cos. Ltd., said on Wednesday fourth-quarter sales and earnings rose, helped by new store openings and better profit margins that came from cost cuts, Reuters reports.

WASHINGTON - A new report conducted for the Institute of Food Technologists suggests America's food supply will be threatened by dangerous bacteria for a long time as new germs arrive in imported products and microbes already here develop in new forms, The Associated Press reports.

WASHINGTON - The government reported today that consumer inflation rose 0.2 percent in January, lifted by the largest increase in gasoline prices in four months and higher prices for fruits and vegetables, The Associated Press reports.

CHICAGO - Troubled cosmetics maker Revlon Inc. on Tuesday said it has named former Coca-Cola Co. president and chief operating officer Jack Stahl as its chief executive. Stahl, 48, will be the company's third chief executive in five years, Reuters reports.