The Food and Drug Administration won a round in court last week, when a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by biotechnology opponents that sought to require the FDA to label such foods and test them for safety. Meanwhile, last week theGreenpeace environmental group stepped up its campaign against genetically-modified foods, holding press conferences in three cities to announce a new consumer guide to national and private label brands likely to contain genetically modified ingredients.
seven in Virginia and four in West Virginia.
A&P, Montvale, N.J., said last week rising fuel prices had hurt sales totals for the second quarter and are likely to depress third-quarter revenues as well.The company said sales for the 12-week quarter ended Sept. 9 rose 7% to $2.44 billion and comparable-store sales increased 1.7%. The company added, however, that it experienced a net loss of $5.4 million compared to a net income of $5.4 million last year. As previously reported, the company had announced the likelihood of an earnings shortfall early last month.
Teamsters Local 439, Stockton, Calif., said its members voted overwhelmingly last week to strike the warehouse in Tracy, Calif., that supplies 245 Safeway stores in northern California, Nevada and Hawaii. The 1.8-million-square-foot distribution center, which is owned and operated by Summit Logistics here, has 1,800 employees, 1,600 of which are represented by the Teamsters Union, Martin Street, Summit president, told SN. The Teamsters, however, had not called for a strike by late last week, and members who phoned headquarters heard a recorded message urging them to report to work and do their usual "excellent job."
Kroger Co., Cincinnati, said last week it has officially launched Private Selection, a brand of private label products available at all company stores. Private Selection products include pasta sauces, ice cream, deli meats, soups, frozen entrees, cookies, cheese, preserves and marinades. The launch is being supported by a marketing campaign featuring the tag line, "Everything Premium (but the price)."
PepsiCo, Purchase, N.Y., said last week Roger Enrico, chairman and chief executive officer, would leave his position as CEO by the end of next year and retire as chairman before the end of 2002. The company said it plans to name Steve Reinemund, currently president and chief operating officer, to succeed Enrico as he vacates those posts.
Giuliano's Fresh Market and Restaurant, Virginia Beach, Va., reportedly closed its doors last week, just two weeks after opening, according to an article in the Virginian-Pilot newspaper, Norfolk, Va. The store was the project of veteran supermarket executive Mike Julian, former chief executive officer and chairman first of Farm Fresh, Norfolk, Va., and then of Jitney Jungle Stores of America, Jackson, Miss. Julian had previously told SN the 21,000-square-foot, 140-employee store would feature top-notch perishables and a full-service restaurant. Julian could not be reached for comment on the reported store closing.
