General Merchandise

RACINE, Wis. — Ziploc has tapped chef and television personality Rachael Ray for a two-year initiative that is designed to help consumers give their food and diets a "freshness makeover."

The Great American FreshOver Project, Ziploc parent company SC Johnson said, was designed to provide families the tools they need to keep their diets full of fresh, healthy foods every day. The initiative includes:

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — Thinkway Toys will launch a new line of toys based on the follow-up animated film to "Despicable Me," Universal Partnerships and Licensing and Illumination Entertainment announced.

Thinkway Toys was granted a master global toy license for the release of animated film, "Despicable Me 2," and will develop a wide variety of toys featuring the minions and other key characters, including interactive toys, figures, plush, dolls, playsets, vehicles, role play and novelty items, UP&L and Illumination Entertainment said.

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Kraft Foods and beverage carbonation systems manufacturer SodaStream have formed a strategic partnership.

As part of the deal, SodaStream and Kraft Foods will manufacture, market, distribute and sell Kraft Foods branded flavors for use with the SodaStream soda making system. The initial Kraft Foods brands to participate will be several varieties of Crystal Light and Country Time, a lemonade brand.

ATLANTA — Paper Mate has globally launched a new line of writing instruments.

Looking to offer consumers advanced writing performance at an affordable price, InkJoy features ultra-low viscosity ink and proprietary ink delivery system to provide "an unparalleled, effortless writing experience," Paper Mate said. InkJoy is available in 100, 300 and 700 series: the 100 and 300 series are available in 10 bright, modern ink colors, while the 700 series is available in black, blue and red ink colors.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rumors are swirling that Kodak moments may be no more.

According to published reports, the more-than-one-century-old company is looking to seek bankruptcy protection. The Wall Street Journal reported that could file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this month or in early February and that Kodak was scrambling to sell some of its patents, though a Kodak spokesperson told the publication that "does not comment on market rumor or speculation."

EL PASO, Texas — Helen of Troy has become the new owner of the Pur water purification products business, the company announced Tuesday.

The company previously announced its intent to acquire Pur Water Purification Products company — including the worldwide Pur trademark, its current and future product line, assets related to the operations of the Pur business, manufacturing equipment and more than 200 patents — from Procter & Gamble in December.

Sales of household cleaning products have seen a decline over the last four years, according to a recent study by Mintel — a trend the market research company expected will continue until 2015.

Mintel attributed the dip in sales to consumers cleaning their homes on an as-needed basis and taking a more economy-focused approach to the category. Cleaning cloths/wipes, furniture polish and floor cleaners have had the best growth. Sales of green products slowed, but still show promise.

DALLAS — Toilet paper brand Cottonelle has expanded its line of toilet paper roll covers with three new designs created by interior designer Jonathan Adler.

The three designs, which are part of Cottonelle's spring collection, feature a variety of color and patterns in an effort to change consumers' view on toilet paper.