Shareholders at Philip Morris have approved proposals to change the company's name to Altria Group. The company's subsidiaries Philip Morris USA, Philip Morris International, Kraft Foods and Miller Brewing Company will retain their names. Unilever has announced plans to sell Loders Croklaan Group ­ its speciality oils and fats unit ­ as part of its Path to Growth strategy. First quarter pre-tax profit at New Covent Garden Soup maker S Daniels rose from £581,000 in 2001 to £711,000 in 2002, reflecting a reduction in interest payments. However, sales dipped from £13.76m to £13.27m. Global chocolate supplier Barry Callebaut has bought German firm Stollwerk for £104.6m. Stollwerk is reputed to be one of the world's top four consumer chocolate producers. Carrefour China has placed £34.2m worth of orders with Chinese manufacturers. It has also announced intentions to invest more in Beijing and open another store there this year. Independent ATM provider Moneybox has rung up 20 million cash withdrawals at its UK network, bringing the total number of transactions at its cashpoints to 35 million. Wholesale cash and carry firm London Cash and Carry ­ based in Barking, Essex ­ has become a full member of the Landmark Cash and Carry Group. Tesco is backing the British Potato Council's "Buy British" campaign, which begins on May 6, by pledging to sell more Cornish new potatoes in its stores and extending sales to the Midlands. Sainsbury is rolling out its free fruit in schools scheme to 100 schools in north-west England from September 2002 after successful trials in Glasgow, London and Birmingham. Bankrupt retailer Kmart may need to restate past results following a probe into its accounting methods, leading to fears of further big losses. Robertsons shareholders have approved a new company called Unilever Bestfoods Robertsons to represent Unilever and Robertsons' food interests in South Africa and Israel. A new report from US food policy think tank, the Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy, has accused leading US newspapers and journals of unfairly rigging the biotech debate in favour of the pro-GM lobby. Geest has strengthened its French business with the acquisition of Brittany-based prepared leaf salads company Societe Bretonne de Legumes Prepares for £1.6m. The West Country Food Awards, run by Taste of the West and the Royal Bath & West of England Society this week, saw more than 500 producers winning 52 gold, 69 silver and 52 bronze awards. Jeweller H Samuel has clinched a deal to issue one Tesco Clubcard point in exchange for every pound spent in its stores from May 22. Rising stress levels among European consumers drove them to spend 9% more on food treats than on standard products ­ or a total of £80.6bn in the last year ­ according to Datamonitor's Everyday Treating report. {{NEWS }}

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