U.S. consumers say boo to store brand or private label candy for Halloween, filling trick-or-treaters' bags with branded candy, according to an analysis by The Nielsen Co.

On Friday, the Smart Choices Program, an industry-funded labeling program,  "voluntarily" postponed active operations and will not encourage wider use of the logo at this time by either new or currently enrolled companies," reports Reuters. Participating companies include: Kellogg Co., Kraft Foods Inc., General Mills Inc., Unilever PLC, PepsiCo Inc.'s Quaker Foods and ConAgra Foods Inc., among others.

Dr. Margaret Hamburg, commissioner of the FDA, appeared before the Senate's committee on health, education, labor and pensions on Oct. 22 to discuss reforming the food safety system, reports Food Business News. Her appearance was in sync with the House of Representative's "Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009" and the U.S. Senate's "FDA Food Safety Modernization Act" heading to conference.

During a press conference yesterday, October 20, FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg said she sent a letter to industry and Congresswoman Rosa Deloro (D-Conn.), outlining the FDA's guidance on the plethora of front-of-package symbols and nutrition scores being used by food processors and retailers to communicate the nutritional quality of foods and beverages.

The sweet spot in the U.S. beverage market, long dominated by a handful of major brand lines, has shifted to niche products that target a diverse set of consumer needs, occasions, and benefits, according to a Culinary Trend Mapping Report released by the Center for Culinary Development, San Francisco, and Packaged Facts.

Sales of ethnic foods have climbed steadily since 2004, set to reach a record high $2.2 billion in 2009, and a forecast of solid growth of nearly 20 percent from 2010-2014, according to Mintel.

The Great Recession is over, according to a survey 44 economists surveyed Sept. 2 through Sept. 24, by the Washington, D.C.-based National Association for Business Economics (NABE).

The move towards the spicy, hot pepper-laden flavoring that first took root years ago in Buffalo, N.Y., on chicken wings is now showing up in gobs of other new products at fast food joints and grocery stores, reports USA Today.

In a Wall Street Journal opinion piece, Coca-Cola CEO Muhtar Kent argues that soft drinks are not to blame for America's obesity epidemic, and a federal tax will not improve health. "The taxes, the advocates acknowledge, are intended to limit consumption of targeted foods and help you to accept the diet that they have determined is best. In cities and states across America-and even at the federal level-this idea is getting increased attention despite its regressive nature and inherent illogic," he writes.

With the nation seemingly emerging from recession, American consumers remain skittish about spending their money during this upcoming holiday season, according to new research from The Nielsen Co.