The dairy industry is closing ranks with representatives of other agricultural groups and the U.S. Trade Representative's Office to push for passage of the Free Trade Agreement with Central America and the Dominican Republic (CAFTA-DR). Congressional hearings have begun with a vote in the full House and Senate expected later this year.

The loss of its WeightWatchers business combined with a drop-off in low carb lines is being blamed for a significant decline in sales at CoolBrands International, Ontario.

USDA's new food guide pyramid features a couple of changes over the old pyramid, the most important being reflected in the name, as the symbol is now interactive on the Internet.

Ice Cream is serious business in the Pacific Rim, and the latest evidence is that Nestlé is asking consumers in Malaysia to pick the newest flavor for its Drumstick line.

A former Frecker's Ice Cream plant in Columbus, Ohio, will soon be "home, sweet home" for upscale town home dwellers. An area developer recently broke ground on a project to

General Mills has its Breakfast of Champions, well now HP Hood is tipping its cap to the Boston Red Sox with what might become known as the Dessert of Champions. The Hood Champions Ice Cream line recognizes the 2004 Red Sox, who became Boston's first World Series Champions in 86 years.

Bravo! Foods, North Palm Beach, Fla., says that by year's end it will triple the number of outlets to which it sells its Slammers flavored milks.

Jim Oberweis, owner of Oberweis Dairy, is making another run for public office-this time seeking the Republican nomination for Illinois governor.

DALLAS-Fairmont Food Group, the Dallas-based company led by dairy veteran Bing Graffunder, has acquired DCI Cheese Co., Mayville, Wis., makers and marketers of brands that include Black Diamond and Great Midwest.

Dutch dairy firm Campina and Danish-Swedish co-operative Arla Foods have abandoned merger talks, at least for now.