Consumables

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Kellogg's said that nearly half of its facilities worldwide send 5% or less of waste they generate to landfill, an achievement announced in the company's third global corporate responsibility report.

The company, which released the report on Earth Day, said its reduction in waste sent to landfill was achieved through diligent efforts at each of its facilities, in addition to increased partnerships with recyclers. Overall, Kellogg's has reduced its waste sent to landfill by 51% since 2005, keeping the company on track with its 2015 goal.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Just in time for Earth Day, Fresh & Easy has introduced its private-label household cleaning and paper products.

The retailer's Green Things line, which now is available in stores, features household cleaners that are made with plant-based formulas, are biodegradable and pH-neutral, and also are made without such chemicals as 1,4-dioxane, phosphates, dyes or perfumes.

NEW YORK — The link between diet soda and diabetes may not be as strong as previously thought, according to a study by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Between 1986 and 2006, more than 40,000 men filled out regular questionnaires about health and diets, which the Harvard team, led by nutrition and epidemiology professor Frank Hu, then collected.

LOS ANGELES — Coconut water brand One Natural Experience is continuing its partnership with Healthy Child Healthy World, a leading environmental health nonprofit dedicated to preventing childhood exposure to harmful chemicals that exist in everyday life.

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — The organic industry grew at a rate of nearly 8% to more than $28.6 billion, according to a recent survey conducted by the Organic Trade Association.

"While total U.S. food sales grew by less than 1% in 2010, the organic food industry grew by 7.7%," said Christine Bushway, OTA's CEO and executive director. "Consumers continue to vote with their dollars in favor of the organic choice. These results illustrate the positive contribution organic agriculture and trade make to our economy, and particularly to rural livelihoods."

NORWICH, N.Y. — Chobani has captured the U.S. yogurt market as the leading brand in the category, according to SymphonyIRI Group data.

The Greek yogurt brand surpassed such competitors as Yoplait and Dannon, according to SymphonyIRI’s InfoScan Review, which examined the last 12 weeks of sales, ended March 20, across food, drug and mass (excluding Walmart).

What's more, SymphonyIRI recently named Chobani as one of the most successful food and beverage consumer packaged goods brands of 2010.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Lysol, a Reckitt Benckiser brand, is looking to help allergy sufferers this spring.

The brand announced that it has tapped pediatrician and author Laura Jana, as well as Lysol microbiologist Joe Rubino, to help identify allergen triggers and ways to avoid them. The two star in Lysol's "Allergy-Proofing Your Home" video series, which can be viewed here.

LOS ANGELES — My Idol Pops is rolling out licensed confections through its My Idolpops line based on the upcoming 3-D movie "The Smurfs."

The beloved blue characters, including Clumsy, Smurfette, Papa and Brainy, are captured in My Idolpops hand-crafted lollipops. The 1-oz. lollipops are wrapped in a bag bearing the colorful image of each Smurf character and displayed in a four-color playful display box of 24. The pops also are available in peg-hook bags of two pops each.

"The Smurfs" is slated for theatrical release on July 29.