Content about Food and drink

SUNBURY, Pa. —  Weis Markets on Monday promoted Rick Seipp to VP pharmacy. 

In his new position, Seipp will oversee the day-to-day merchandising, operation and management of Weis Markets’ 131 pharmacies. He will also oversee the company’s Lifestyle Initiatives’ team, which focuses on health and wellness issues.  

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — In a sneak peek of its spring slate, Ciao Bella today announced plans to expand its award-winning gelato and Adonia categories, including new novelty items and Greek frozen yogurt flavors.

Starting in April, Ciao Bella will add a new gelato novelty to its national retail offering: Sea Salt Caramel Gelato Squares. The new gelato sandwiches mark an addition to Ciao Bella's established collection of dessert novelties that include the Key Lime Graham Gelato Squares, which are among the brand's 17 NASFT Sofi Gold Award-winning products.

GLENVIEW, Ill. — Kraft Foods announced this week a new addition to its Crystal Light line of low-calorie drink mixes, Crystal Light Liquid. Crystal Light Liquid is sweetened with a blend of non-nutritive sweeteners and is caffeine-free, gluten-free, sugar-free and has zero calories.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — Mountain Dew, a product of PepsiCo, announced today the release of Kickstart, a breakfast drink combining Mountain Dew with real fruit juice.

"Our consumers told us they are looking for an alternative to traditional morning beverages — one that tastes great, includes real fruit juice and has just the right amount of kick to help them start their days," said Greg Lyons, VP marketing for Mountain Dew. "We heard them loud and clear and created a completely new offering with Kickstart to give them exactly what they asked for."

 HAWTHORNE, N.Y. - Israeli drug maker Taro Pharmaceutical Industries and Indian drug maker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries have terminated their merger agreement, the companies said in a joint statement Friday.

Little explanation for the decision to halt the deal was given, except that terminating the agreement was "in the best interest of the respective companies and shareholders." Taro shareholders would have received $39.50 per share upon the closing of the deal.

GLENDALE, Calif. — Nestle today announced new additions to its line of Valentine’s Day offerings.

This season's collection includes the new Wonka Lik-M-Aid Fun Dip Mystery Flavor Valentine Exchange Kit. Returning this year are Lik-M-Aid Fun Dip Valentine Exchange Kit, Nestlé Crunch and Butterfinger Hearts, Wonka's best-selling Nerds , Pixy Stix, or Laffy Taffy Candy and Card Kits, Wonka Sweetarts Lollipops and Wonka Sweetarts Hearts.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Dove Men+Care, a Unilever men's personal care brand, is launching a full line of cleansing, shaving, post-shave and face care products to help men care for their faces.

NEW YORK — Costco will replace Coke with Pepsi at its in-store lunch counters, according to published reports.

Costco will start selling Pepsi instead of Coca-Cola products at its food courts starting in April, news media reported. Stores in two of its eight regions already had switched to Pepsi. The company has long sold a $1.50 hot dog-and-soda combination meal at its stores.

According to reports, the switch was not related to a dispute between Costco and Coca-Cola in 2009, when the club retailer temporarily stopped carrying Coke products in its stores.

LOS ANGELES — A brand of pistachios will carry the American Heart Association's Heart-Check mark, the company that markets it said.

Paramount Farms said Monday that its Wonderful Pistachios Lightly Salted and No Salt packages would carry the AHA's mark, indicating that it's a heart-healthy product. The AHA created the mark in 1995.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Thursday announced the retirement of Central Division president Bob Moeder.

NEW YORK — A hunger relief group serving Philadelphia and surrounding areas has hired a New York-based brand and retail design consultancy to design a prototype nonprofit grocery store to address food deserts.

The agency, CBX, said the Philabundance had hired it to design the store, Fare & Square, which will open this summer in Chester, Pa.

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Ben & Jerry's ice cream has announced it will reveal a new flavor aimed at celebrating the NBC series "30 Rock," which airs its series finale on Jan. 31. The flavor will be unveiled by co-founder Jerry Greenfield at a New York City finale party, steps from the namesake building at Rockefeller Center. Invitees will gather to view the series finale of the show and sample the new "30 Rock"-themed concoction