Hershey Co. and Ferrero International SA are considering a possible offer for Cadbury PLC, already the target of a hostile takeover by Kraft Foods Inc., reports Associated Press.

A food rating system that analyzes both nutrition and cost value, the first of its kind, was introduced at the American Dietetic Association's Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo by University of Washington professor Adam Drewnowski, reports Supermarket News.

So, you know, it is what it is, but Americans are totally annoyed by the use of "whatever," pronounced "WHAT'-ehv-errr," reports Associated Press (AP).

First Lady Michelle Obama has opened up the White House to the Food Network in an episode of "Iron Chef America" that will air in January, reports CNN.

Appearing in the episode, which has already been filmed, Obama announces the "secret ingredient" to the chefs before the competition. The chefs will use ingredients that were grown in the Obama family's White House vegetable garden.

Northfield, Ill.-based Kraft Foods Inc. renewed its bid for Cadbury PLC offering the same terms as its original bid, which was rejected in September by the London-based confectionery company.

Cadbury once again rejected the offer of 300 pence in cash and 0.2589 new Kraft shares for each Cadbury share. This offer values Cadbury at 713 pence per share and an entire issued shared capital of $16.5 billion, slightly lower than the original offer because Kraft's shares are down.

These are tough times for food companies and marketers. Kellogg Co. will discontinue using an immunity statement, specifically "Now helps support your child's immunity," on Kellogg's Rice Krispies and Cocoa Krispies cereals after a flurry of criticism from the FDA and the media that these cereals are loaded with sugar.

While consumers are focused on saving money at the supermarket in this economy, the same cannot be said of the supposed trend toward more cooking of "comfort foods," reports AdWeek.

Most women should consume no more than 100 calories, or about six teaspoons, of added sugars per day and most men should consume no more than 150 calories, or about nine teaspoons, each day, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association. In contrast, a report from the 2001-04 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) showed the average intake of added sugars for all Americans was about 22 teaspoons per day.

Although economic gloom casting a spell on consumer confidence this year, America's darkest holiday is looking bright for retailers. According to IBISWorld, Halloween sales are expected to reach a record-breaking $6 billion in 2009, up 4.2 percent from the $5.77 billion generated last year.