Cadbury Sets Date for Dr Pepper Demerger Cadbury Schweppes has agreed financing for a £5.4 billion demerger of its U.S. drinks business, with the completion date set for May 7. SunOpta Announces JV SunOpta Inc. entered into an agreement to establish a joint venture with Colorado Mills LLC to build and operate an organic and natural vegetable oil refining facility. Kerry Buys Breeo Kerry has agreed to buy another leading Irish operator in the consumer food sector - Breeo Foods. Pilgrim's Pride Cuts, Sells, Promotes Pilgrim's Pride Corporation will close a chicken processing complex and six of its 13 distribution centers in the U.S. in response to the crisis facing the U.S. chicken industry. Plus, it will sell its turkey production facility and distribution center in New Oxford, Pa. Meanwhile, it also named J. Clinton Rivers president and chief executive. Nestle Opens Chocolate R&D Facility Nestle S.A announced the establishment of the company's R&D facility, Chocolate Centre of Excellence, located at Nestle's chocolate factory in Broc, Switzerland. Diageo, Heineken in Pair of JVs Heineken and Diageo have agreed to form two joint ventures in the South African drinks market. Hain Celestial Acquires Two Brands The Hain Celestial Group Inc. acquired the MaraNatha and SunSpire brands. Glanbia on a Shopping Spree Glanbia will spend up to 200 million euros on acquisitions this year as it seeks to develop its interests in the high-margin specialist dairy ingredients industry. Smucker Buying Europe's Best The J. M. Smucker Company entered into an agreement to acquire Europe's Best Inc. Return to Top

Editorial Podcasts A weekly series on Trends, Development, Menu Trends, Regulation Updates and Innovation. * * * * * * * * * * From the March Prepared Foods Packaged Food Trends Spirit of Innovation Award Nominations Now Open Overview of Overviews * * * * *

Low-Fat Diet Fueling Obesity? Researcher Phoenix Gilman says, "I like to call this the low-fat myth, because there wasn't one, long-term study that verified the efficacy of such a diet." Coke Zero Drops Sweetener in Mexico  Coca-Cola has reformulated the Mexican version of Coca-Cola Zero, removing an artificial sweetener that is banned in the United States. Energy Drinks Erode Teeth Energy drinks are fast gaining popularity and may give you that extra zing, but they are bad for your teeth, a new study contends.

Top Headlines * Kerry Calls for a Double * Space for a Cott * New Mad Cow in Canada * Hormel Has Ideas in China * An Extension * Campbell's Lower 48 * Sweet Helps or Hurts? * Dropping a Claim? * Tea to Fight Diabetes * KFIC's New Executive Chef  Important Industry Websites + FDA + USDA + foodCompliance.com + Research Chefs Association + Datamonitor + Information Resources + Mintel Group + Food Update Prepared Foods' Sites + PreparedFoods.com + NutraSolutions.com + e-Learning Center + New Products Conference + ProductInnovationXchange + R&D Applications Seminar -- Chicago + R&D Applications Seminar -- East + Spirit of Innovation Awards

Defend Against Anthrax with Tea A cup of black tea could be the next line of defence in the threat of bio-terrorism according to new international research. High-GI Diet Linked to Disease Eating high-GI foods significantly increases the risk of a range of lifestyle diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Fluoride Damaging Brain? "It is not clear that the benefits of adding fluoride to drinking water outweigh risks of neurodevelopment or other effects such as dental fluorosis," according to an Institute for Children's Environmental Health report. Return to Top   Nellson Nutraceutical Names Directors and CEO Nellson Nutraceutical LLC appointed three new directors and named an interim chief executive officer. Centerplate Names VP of Culinary Development Centerplate Inc. announced that Alfonso Contrisciani has been named vice president -- Culinary Development. Kraft Foods Names EVP, Strategy Kraft Foods announced Michael Osanloo had been named as executive vice president, Strategy. New Taco Bell/KFC President Priszm announced the appointment of Steve Langford as president, KFC/Taco Bell. Molson Coors Names President of Global Brands Molson Coors Brewing Company appointed Dave Perkins to president, Global Brand and Market Development. Return to Top

NEW East Coast Applications-oriented Educational Seminar
Prepared Foods' 2008 R&D Applications Seminar East will offer 80+ practical seminars to further educate bench-level R&D on solutions to specific application challenges and a better understanding of ingredient functionality April 14-15, 2008, at the Hilton East Brunswick Hotel, East brunswick, N.J. To register your team, or for seminar schedule information, visit http://bnpevents.com/PF/RD-East/.