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PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Pinaccle Foods brand Birds Eye has encouraged kids to eat their vegetables while simultaneously increasing its sales — and health advocates are taking notice. The frozen vegetable brand was invited to share its strategy at the Partnership for a Healthier America's 2013 Building a Healthier Future Summit this week.

Research from the Freedonia Group indicates that the mature battery category is seeing modest topline growth largely due to a shift in the product mix toward premium batteries. Growth also is being driven by an increased proliferation of battery-dependent devices in the home, from toothbrushes to glucose monitors.

Alkaline batteries still dominate the consumer primary battery market, accounting for 84% of demand, according to the Freedonia Group. Alkaline batteries also are expected to record solid gains in consumer applications through 2015.

CHICAGO — The percentage of adults in the United States who say they want to reduce or eliminate gluten from their diets reached a new high this January, according to a new study.

The NPD Group, a market research firm, has tracked efforts by Americans to reduce gluten intake since 2009, finding that 30% of adults claimed to cut down on gluten or avoid it entirely in January.

CINCINNATI — Bounty, a Proctor and Gamble brand, has unveiled the new DuraTowel, a cloth-like paper towel designed to use instead of reusing dishcloths, which the company said can redeposit millions of germs after just one use.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Aunt Jemima Frozen Breakfast, a Pinnacle Foods brand, on Tuesday announced the new Lil' Griddles line of bite-sized frozen breakfast options.

The new line comes in three varieties: Aunt Jemima Frozen Blueberry Mini pancakes, Aunt Jemima Frozen Original Mini pancakes and Aunt Jemima Frozen Cinnamon French Toast Sticks.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Nestle's Gerber division has introduced a line of mix-and-match foods for toddlers, the company said Wednesday.

Gerber Products Co. announced the introduction of Gerber Graduates 2+ Kid Selects, designed to offer toddlers ages 2 years and older a range of protein, vegetable and grain options in order to help them make nutritious choices and master skills like the use of a fork and spoon.

AVON, Ohio — Duck Tape is heading to the runway this Thursday on Lifetime’s “Project Runway,” as season 11’s aspiring designers face the “Unconventional Materials Challenge,” a competition in every season that challenges them to create high-fashion clothing from something other than fabric.

MINNEAPOLIS — MOM Brands today announced new additions to its brand portfolio with Spooners ready-to-eat cereals. The cereals come packaged in stand-up gusseted bags, which sit on the shelf like a box, yet contain 75% less consumer packaging waste than comparably sized bag-in-box, ready-to-eat cereals.