Dr Pepper/Seven Up Inc. (a part of Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages, Plano, Texas) has announced plans for 7 Up Plus.

SIAL 2004 promises a “multi-specialist” event with 15 product categories featured in four halls, with three halls devoted to national pavilions and regions of the world, as well as an area dedicated to exploring the local favorites found in France.

Two of the world's largest beverage companies have moved into healthful territory of late. Sometime this summer, Coca-Cola (Atlanta) will launch C2, promising half the calories, carbohydrates and sugar of regular Coke, and Pepsi's (Purchase, N.Y.) similarly described Edge hit store shelves in mid-June.

A pair of recent studies cast light on the effects of caffeine on the body. A report in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine reveals African-American teens are at increased risk of hypertension due to caffeine in soft drinks.

Food manufacturers looking for ways to educate their consumers may be in luck, if a new product from Procter & Gamble (Cincinnati) is any indication.

The quest to cull carbohydrates from food products seems never-ending and has expanded to the ice cream aisles, which now boast Atkins-friendly offerings from such stalwarts as Good Humor-Breyer's (Green Bay, Wisc.), Dean Foods (Dallas) and Mayfield Dairy (Athens, Tenn.).

Joseph Kenny has been named managing director -- ADM Cocoa International.

Bananas flavored with the hint of another fruit could help Chiquita become the Starbucks of the produce world.

Researchers have demonstrated that non-colas, canned iced teas and even diet drinks also can weaken and erode tooth enamel.

General Mills Inc. announced vice chairman Ray Viault will retire from General Mills October 1, 2004.