January 20/Springdale, Ark./The International Herald Tribune -- Wal-Mart, one of the world's largest retailers, announced a five-year plan to make thousands of its packaged foods lower in unhealthful salts, fats and sugars, and to drop its prices for fruits and vegetables.
The initiative followed discussions the company has been having with Michelle Obama, the first lady, who attended the announcement in Washington, according to a Wal-Mart press release, and who has made healthful eating and reducing childhood obesity the centerpiece of her agenda. Aides say it is the first time Obama has thrown her support behind the work of a single company.