LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – An intense advertising blitz, funded by Monsanto Co and others, has eroded support for a California ballot proposal that would require U.S. food makers to disclose when their products contain genetically modified organisms.

If California voters approve the measure on November 6, it would be the first time U.S. food makers have to label products that contain GMOs, or ingredients whose DNA has been manipulated by scientists.

Oct 11 (Reuters) – An intense advertising blitz, funded by
Monsanto Co and others, has eroded support for a
California ballot proposal that would require U.S. food makers
to disclose when their products contain genetically modified
organisms.

If California voters approve the measure in November, it
would be the first time U.S. food makers would have to label
products that contain GMOs, or ingredients whose DNA has been
manipulated by scientists.

By Lisa Baertlein

(Reuters) – Yum Brands Inc (YUM.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) expects to continue delivering consistent performance in China – its biggest market for sales and operating profit – despite economic uncertainty there, the restaurant company’s chief executive said on Wednesday.

Shares in the parent of the KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut chains jumped nearly 10 percent the morning after the company raised its full-year profit forecast due to better-than-expected third-quarter earnings that were driven by solid results from China and the United States.

By Lisa Baertlein

(Reuters) – KFC parent Yum Brands Inc (YUM.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) raised its full-year outlook on Tuesday after sales in China held up despite cooling economic growth in that market, the restaurant company’s largest.

Shares of Yum, whose other chains include Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, rose 3.6 percent after the company also reported a third-quarter profit that topped Wall Street’s expectations.

Oct 9 (Reuters) – KFC parent Yum Brands Inc raised
its full-year outlook after sales at established restaurants in
China held up, despite cooling economic growth in the restaurant
company’s largest market.

Shares of Yum, whose other chains include Pizza Hut and Taco
Bell, jumped 3.6 percent after the company also reported
third-quarter profit that topped Wall Street’s expectations.

LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO (Reuters) – Walmart employees affiliated with a union-backed group walked off the job in Los Angeles on Thursday, protesting working conditions at the world’s largest retailer, which promptly defended itself, saying the “publicity stunt” was not having an impact on its business.

About 50 workers from nine stores in Los Angeles County walked off the job Thursday morning to protest what they say are unfair labor practices by Wal-Mart Stores Inc, sponsors of the action said.

By Lisa Baertlein

(Reuters) – Smartphone-wielding Starbucks customers in the United States will get a new way to pay in early November when the world’s biggest coffee chain begins accepting Square Wallet mobile payments at its roughly 7,000 company-operated U.S. stores.

Starbucks (SBUX.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), which has embraced new technology ranging from social media to mobile payments, on Thursday said it also plans to add digital tipping next summer – something sure to thrill its baristas.

Sept 19 (Reuters) – Starbucks Corp announced
competitive prices for its new Verismo coffee and espresso
makers that could pose a threat to brewers from Green Mountain
Coffee Roasters Inc and Nestle SA, the
dominant players in the $8 billion single-serve coffee market.

The basic Verismo will sell for $199 while a larger version,
with temperature controls and self-cleaning, will be priced at
$399. Retail sales will begin in October, the company said late
on Wednesday. The prices were in line with analysts’
expectations.

LOS ANGELES, Sept 19 (Reuters) – Consumer Reports is urging
U.S. limits for arsenic in rice after tests of more than 60
popular products — from Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal
to Gerber infant cereal — showed that most contained some level
of inorganic arsenic, a known human carcinogen.

The watchdog group said that some varieties of brown rice –
including brands sold by Whole Foods Markets Inc and
Wal-Mart Stores Inc — contained particularly
significant levels of inorganic arsenic.

Sept 19 (Reuters) – Consumer Reports on Wednesday called on
U.S. regulators to set limits for arsenic in rice after an
investigation by the independent product testing group found
“significant” levels of inorganic arsenic, a known human
carcinogen, in some samples of popular rice products.

The watchdog group – whose other requests included a ban on
the use of arsenic-containing drugs and pesticides used in crop
and animal production – recommended that children and adults
moderate their rice intake.