Food Roundup: Coke Offer Juiced, Tyson to Pamper Pets, Trade Sanctions Delayed, and More

China says “No” to Coke buy — The Chinese government rejected an attempt by the Coca-Cola Company to purchase the Hiyuan Juice Group, which controls 40 percent of China’s juice market. The government said the proposed $2.4 billion takeover would have had “an unfavourable impact on competition.” [Source: Just-drinks]

Tyson forms alliance with Freshpet — Tyson Foods has partnered with Secaucus, N.J.-based Freshpet Co. to produce deli-like food for pets. The refrigerated dog food will be targeted at customers who pamper their pets and buy them human-like products such as car seats and clothing. The two companies are betting that these pet owners will not decrease spending on such items despite the economy. “We want to make Freshpet huge,” a Tyson VP said. As part of the alliance, Tyson purchased a minority stake in Freshpet. [Sources: Meat & Poultry, Wall Street Journal]

US delays trade sanctions against Europe — Several retaliatory tariffs against European products — including a 300 percent tariff on Roquefort cheese — have been delayed one month to give trade officials more time to negotiate. The tariffs, added in the last days of the Bush Administration, are a WTO-sanctioned response to the EU’s ban on hormone-fed beef, but many believe the specifics of the last-minute changes also represented a personal and petty attack against France. “It reeks of ‘freedom fries,’” said a Los Angeles cheese seller. [Sources: Meat & Poultry, L.A. Times]

Antibiotics bill reintroduced — Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) on Tuesday introduced the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act, which would ban the use of antibiotics on animals that are not actually sick. Supporters of the bill say the overuse of such drugs is responsible for breeding new strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, affecting human health as well as animals. But the National Pork Producers Council is against the bill, saying it will lead to more sick pigs and higher production costs. The bill has been successfully opposed numerous times since it was first introduced in the 1980’s. [Sources: PR Newswire, Hoosier Ag Today, Reuters]

Trouble at World Water Forum — Two protesters were deported from an international World Water Forum in Turkey after unfurling a banner reading “No Risky Dams.” The forum convenes every three years to address issues of water scarcity around the globe. The protesters were members of California-based advocacy group International Rivers, and one of them stated, “Large dams have left a legacy of lies and loss. Continuing to build destructive dams will bring unacceptable risks to people and the planet.” Turkish police arrested and deported both activists. [Sources: ENS, AFP]