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P&G opens new plant for family care business
CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble announced the grand opening of its new plant in Box Elder, Utah, marking the first plant the company has built in four decades.

P&G said the plant, which also features an on-site distribution center, will handle the company's family care business of brands, which includes the Bounty, Charmin and Puffs brands. The Box Elder plant has more than 600,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space, plus 400,000 sq. ft. for its on-site distribution center, which opened last spring to ship a number of P&G products.
Atico recalls holiday rattle baby slippers
WASHINGTON — Atico International USA issued a voluntary recall of 57,000 holiday rattle baby slippers amid a choking hazard, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The CPSC reported that the soft shoes with built-in rattles were imported from China by Atico International USA of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and sold nationwide at Walgreens stores from October 2010 through January 2011 for about $5.

Pepsi develops PET bottle

PURCHASE, N.Y. — PepsiCo said it significantly is reducing its carbon footprint through its development of a plant-based bottle.

The company said its "green" PET bottle, made of such bio-based raw materials as switch grass, pine bark and corn husks, is 100% recyclable.

The announcement followed the company's rollout of "quieter" compostable bags for its SunChips brand.

PepsiCo will pilot production of the new bottle in 2012.
American Greetings' L'Chayim to Life! collection highlights Passover holiday

CLEVELAND — In an effort to reach consumers that celebrate the Jewish holiday of Passover, American Greetings has introduced a new collection of greeting cards.

This year's L'Chayim to Life! collection includes depictions of traditional symbols of the holiday, as well as more humorous takes on the practices that occur over the eight-day celebration, which will take place from sunset on April 18 through April 26.
Kraft's CFO exits; EVP operations to take helm

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Kraft Foods on Monday announced that its EVP and CFO, Timothy McLevish, will leave the company in mid-2011.

McLevish, who served as EVP and CFO for Kraft since 2007, will shift his CFO responsibilities to EVP operations David Brearton. Prior to his exit, McLevish will report the company's first-quarter financial results.
Ocean Spray bolsters 100% juice offerings

LAKEVILLE-MIDDLEBORO, Mass. — Ocean Spray has introduced two drinks that blend its classic cranberry juice with other berry flavors.

New to the Ocean Spray lineup are Ocean Spray 100% juice cranberry, pomegranate, cherry and 100% juice cranberry, blueberry, blackberry. One glass provides 100% of the daily requirement of vitamin C and two servings of fruit, Ocean Spray said.
Dip Creations hit store shelves

PLANO, Texas — Consumers looking for a quick way to create great-tasting meals and snacks now have new options.

New Tostitos and Lay's Dip Creations dry seasoning mixes are available in freshly made guacamole, from Tostitos, and garden onion and country ranch from Lay's. They can be used as dips or to add a twist to an array of meals and snacks, including hot wings, potato wedges, meatballs, enchiladas, salads and more.

New Dip Creations dry seasoning mixes are available for a suggested retail price of $1.59 each.
Wonder salutes everyday heroes in line with anniversary celebration

IRVING, Texas — As part of its 90th anniversary celebration, Wonder bread is gearing up to launch a campaign to honor America's everyday heroes.

The soon-to-be-launched "Wonder Heroes" campaign will select people from 800 submissions to Wonder's Facebook page. The everyday heroes then will appear on limited-edition packages available in stores around Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day.
Seventh Generation revolutionizes laundry category

NEW YORK — Seventh Generation has developed an ultra-concentrated liquid laundry detergent that is available in a 100%-compostable bottle.

The company said the entire packaging system (fiber bottle, pouch, spout, cap) for its Natural 4x laundry detergent uses 66% less plastic than a typical 100-oz. 2x laundry bottle. Seventh Generation's Natural 4x laundry detergent — a nontoxic, biodegradable formula — is available in a 50-oz. (66 loads) size and two scents: Free and Clear, and Geranium Blossoms and Vanilla.
GiantMicrobes expands line of toys

NEW YORK — GiantMicrobes has developed a new line of educational plush toys that are modeled after tiny organisms.

New to the lineup are toys that resemble magnified microbes of hay fever, a tick and a brain cell.

Original-sized GiantMicrobes (5-in. to 7-in. sizes) retail for $8.95, while GiantMicrobes petri dishes (three mini-microbes packaged in a dish) retail for $12.95, and Gigantics (15-in. to 20-in. sizes) retail for $29.95. The brain cell plush toy is available as a key chain, GiantMicrobes said, and retails for $5.95.