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RALEIGH, N.C. — Kerr Drug's philanthropic arm is launching a food and toy drive for the holidays, the company said Wednesday.

The Kerr Cares for Kids Foundation is placing collection bins at Kerr Drug stores, where customers can purchase and donate toys and food items. After Dec. 21, the items will be donated to local charities.

The drive follows a school supply collection in August and a Thanksgiving food collection in November that helped 90 organizations across North Carolina.

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday appealed a recent District Court ruling that had placed a preliminary injunction on new, graphic anti-smoking messages that were to be placed on cigarette packaging as of September 2012. The five tobacco company plaintiffs argued that the mandated graphics violate the First Amendment.

The appeal moves the case to to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

WOODLAND PARK, N.J. — Maxell has introduced a rechargeable lithium ion battery designed to operate in low temperatures, the company said.

With a discharge temperature range of -30 degrees to 60 degrees Celsius and 2300mAh capacity, the cell can operate in various products across various markets, including data capture, mobile computing, portable printing, communications, e-bikes, and gardening tools, Maxell said.

The new introduction follows the July launch of Maxell's zero-mercury, zero-lead silver oxide cell.

NEW YORK — The short-term forecast for cold weather items, including cold medicines, is that demand could be down as much as 15% without Jack Frost biting at everyone’s nose, according to analysis from Deutsche Bank published Monday.

Weather Trends International estimates temperatures will be up 2 to 5 degrees warmer year-over-year, on average, over the balance of the year across the United States.

MINNEAPOLIS — Progresso announced the launch of its third annual Souper You contest that celebrates the brand's lineup of low-calorie soups.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Active Health Foods has nominated nutritionist Shanais Pelka to its board of directors, the company said last week.

Pelka, the company said, was "instrumental" in developing the company's unique and proprietary formulas for its Active X energy bars. She holds a Masters of Science degree in nutrition, a Master of Arts degree in education, as well as being a certified nutritional consultant and a PhD candidate in nutrition.

Recently, Active Health Foods launched Active X energy bars at retail.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is offering two promotional programs to holiday shoppers, the company said Monday.

The first of these is Cyber Week, launched to mark Cyber Monday, an online shopping holiday that is one of the busiest of the year. The chain is offering limited-time deals on items commonly purchased online, such as beauty and personal care items, personalized photo calendars and vitamins, as well as 20% off when customers spend $50 or more. Customers can sign up at RiteAidOnlineStore.com.

NEW YORK — Opting for private-label Thanksgiving staples could help consumers save nearly 33%, according to a new survey conducted by the Private Label Manufacturers Association.