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CHICAGO — Retailer and supplier consolidation has led to the demise of some conventional trade shows, but that’s not the case with the Sweets & Snacks Expo.

Record attendance is expected at the event scheduled for May 21 through May 23 in Chicago due in part to format changes by event organizer the National Confectioners Association and the strength of merchandise categories represented at the mega event.

SAN ANTONIO — H-E-B on Thursday announced that it is introducing more ways to help customers eat and live healthier in 2013, including the introduction of a nutrition labeling system and a weekly newsletter filled with healthy tips, recipes and coupons.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred's on Thursday reported a 1% sales decline to $209.9 million for the five-week fiscal month ended Dec. 29. Comparable store sales for the month decreased 4.2% compared with a decline of 0.4% in the same period last year.

NORWALK, Conn. — Pepperidge Farm, makers of popular Milano cookies and Goldfish snack crackers, has unveiled new Jingos! snack crackers.

ST. LOUIS — German beer brand, Beck's, part of Anheuser-Busch InBev, is adding a new "gem" to its product line: Beck's Sapphire.

Brewed from German saphir hops, the beverage is a pilsner with 6% alcohol by volume and will be marketed to a high-end demographic, including bars, clubs and restaurants. The beer will also be sold in grocery and liquor stores nationwide available in six- and 12-packs with a sleek, 12-ounce black glass bottle. A-B InBev debuted the beer on New Year's Eve.

AUSTIN, Texas — To meet growing consumer demand for healthier choices, Whole Foods Market is introducing Engine 2 Plant-Strong products, a new line of plant-based, minimally processed snacks, breakfast items and pantry staples. Developed in collaboration with Rip Esselstyn, author and founder of The Engine 2 Diet, the products will be available exclusively at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide beginning January 2013.

SPOKANE, Wash. — Zak Designs is looking to expand its environmental commitment by launching a new line of dinnerware, serveware and kitchen prep items, all made from recycled melamine. The Sprinkles collection uses the same patented process Zak used in its best-selling, upscale Confetti collection, allowing the company to offer the same environmentally friendly products to the mass market.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — To help ensure the quality of popular food ingredients increasingly being incorporated into products sold in the United States and worldwide, standards for omega 3-rich krill oil and natural, low-calorie stevia sweeteners are among the latest proposed revisions to the Food Chemicals Codex, the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention that publishes the codex announced Wednesday.