Company Watch

• Little Debbie maker may acquire Drake's
  The bankruptcy court has granted Hostess Brands permission to sell most of its bread brands in an auction on Feb. 28. Hostess will submit an agreement to sell the remaining bread brands and the Drake's snack cake brand this week, a spokesman for the company said. McKee Foods, maker of Little Debbie Snack Cakes, is offering $25 million to $30 million for the Drake's brand, which includes Yodels and Devil Dogs, according to people familiar with the negotiations. FoodNavigator (1/25), The Wall Street Journal (1/25)     

• Biena adds 2 flavors for chickpea snack
  Biena Foods has expanded the Roasted Chickpeas snack line with two flavors, honey roasted and barbecue, which join sea salt and cinnamon maple flavors. The product is sold at Whole Foods Market and natural and specialty stores in New England. Food Business Review (1/25)     

• Aramark vows to use eggs from uncaged hens
  Aramark, which buys about 30 million eggs a year, has promised to use only eggs from cage-free hens by late 2014. The professional-services company is working with The Humane Society of the United States to create a plan for achieving that goal. Environmental Leader (1/25)     

	Check out the Social Buzz around Sirha SmartBrief's live coverage of Sirha, The World Hospitality & Food Service Event, on Storify provides a curated collection of the best social media content about the show. Check it out.

Trends

• Super Bowl spending is expected to increase
  Super Bowl fans are expected to spend $68.54 this year on snacks, athletic decor and other game-watching items, up from $63.87 in 2012, according to the National Retail Federation. "It seems consumers are in the mood to celebrate, which is good news for retailers who typically see slower online and foot traffic during these months," Senior Vice President Bill Thorne said. Convenience Store News (1/25)     

• Higher prices mean chicken-wing fans might be out of cluck
  Drought in the summer led to an increase in feed costs, causing a 6% hike in chicken prices last month. Chicken wings, a popular Super Bowl snack, are expected to be especially expensive because of increased demand as consumers opt for dark meat over breasts. NBC News/Life Inc. blog (1/25)     

Advertising & Marketing

• Taylor Swift signs on for Diet Coke
  Musician Taylor Swift has signed a deal with Coca-Cola making her a brand ambassador for Diet Coke, though sources say she will not be in Super Bowl commercials for the company. Details of the campaign are not yet known, but independent agency Droga5 may play a role. Advertising Age (tiered subscription model) (1/25)     

Retail Spotlight

• Detroit-area Target stores will get larger grocery section
  Nine Target stores in the Detroit area are being remodeled to include a larger grocery section, which includes fresh food. "It's about convenience, saving time, getting more things done with just one stop," said Annette Miller, senior vice president of grocery. The retailer has been adding or expanding grocery sections nationwide. Detroit Free Press (1/27)     

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by GMA SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• Drinkable oats, coffeefruit among trends to watch (Forbes)

• Consumers offer suggestions to improve snack aisle (Supermarket News (free registration))

• High-protein launches gain muscle (Progressive Grocer)

• "Seize the Day" campaign debuts from Capri Sun (MediaPost Communications)

• Pam cooking spray gets a makeover (Drug Store News)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

Health & Wellness

• Study: Produce consumption can improve mood
  A study in the Journal of Health Psychology found that people reported feeling more calm, happy and energetic on the days they ate more fruits and vegetables. Lead researcher Dr. Tamlin Conner said young people can reap positive emotional effects by consuming seven or eight servings of fruits and vegetables per day. NutraIngredients (1/25)     

GMA News

• New European perspective on food contact materials webinar set
  On Tuesday, Feb. 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (EST), join GMA and Campden BRI for the Food Contact Materials: A European Perspective webinar which will look at issues surrounding food contact materials from an EU perspective and cover some of the issues raised within the EU area, including:
  
  • Bisphenol A (BPA)
  • Mineral oils
  • The German Ordinance on Printing Inks
  • The use of GFSI standards to aid compliance

  Get more information or register today.

      

Government & Food Safety

• FSA rule change: Fewer inspections for food-makers with good records
  Food-makers with good hygiene records will be subject to fewer inspections from local authorities, under new rules from the Food Standards Agency. "Smarter enforcement of regulation will spare firms from unnecessary red tape while ensuring that regulators will concentrate their efforts where they are most needed to protect consumers and drive up standards," said business and enterprise minister Michael Fallon. FoodNavigator (1/25)     

Position Title Company Name Location Sales Associate (Consumer Products) West Appleton, WI Director, State Affairs Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) Washington, DC Senior Manager, Health and Nutrition Policy Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) Washington, DC Ghirardelli Chocolate Company Food Technologist San Leandro, CA Senior Vice President, Development WETA Arlington, VA

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SmartQuote

If fate means you to lose, give him a good fight anyhow." --William McFee, British-American writer