Food Roundup: Good-Bye to Coke Exec, Huiyuan Rumors, rBGH Bill, and More

Coke exec says second good-bye — Neville Isdell retired from the Coca-Cola Company last week for the second time. In 2004 Isdell had returned to Coca-Cola after nearly three years of retirement, but he left his position as CEO last year and officially retired as chairman at last week’s board meeting in Atlanta. Muhtar Kent, who took over for Isdell as CEO, is now chairman as well. [Sources: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, FoodProcessing.com]

Huiyuan Juice denies renewed Coke talks — The Chinese fruit juice company denied reports that it had resumed talks with the Coca-Cola Company and was discussing the possibility of selling to Coke a minority stake. Coca-Cola previously tried to buy Huiyuan for $2.4 billion but the deal was blocked by the Chinese government, which said the move would be anti-competitive. Both companies initially declined to comment on the reports, but Huiyuan spoke up after the rumors caused an increase in its stock price. [Sources: Reuters, AP, Atlanta Journal-Constitution]

Kathleen Sebelius vetoes milk labeling bill — Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius — who is also Obama’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services — vetoed a bill that would have prevented the state’s milk producers from advertising that they don’t give their cows synthetic bovine growth hormones. Supporters of the bill said that the hormones are perfectly safe and such labeling would only serve to confuse and mislead consumers, but local lawmakers say it is unlikely they will be able to override Sebelius’ veto. [Sources: Food & Water Watch, AP, Washington Post]

Pork is safe, say pork producers — U.S. pork producers assured consumers that their products are perfectly safe and not affected by the swine flu outbreak that hit Mexico last week, killing 86 people and making hundreds sick. Smithfield Foods also said its joint ventures in Mexico are unaffected by the outbreak. [Source: AP]

Australian company may sue Krispy Kreme — Arnott says Krispy Kreme’s Iced Dough-Vo is a copy of its own Iced Vo-Vo cookie and infringes on its trademarks. Krispy Kreme refused to withdraw the donut as Arnott requested, so the Australian company has threatened legal action. [Source: BBC]

El Pollo Loco takes on KFC — In response to KFC’s new grilled chicken roll-out, restaurant chain El Pollo Loco is challenging KFC to a taste test and offering customers free samples to facilitate the comparison. El Pollo Loco says its own chicken is superior because it is flame-grilled whereas KFC will be grilling its chicken in ovens. [Source: Fast Casual]