Trial began in U.S. District Court in Greensboro, N.C., last week in a lawsuit filed by Food Lion, Salisbury, N.C., against ABC-TV's "PrimeTime Live" over a November 1992 broadcast indicating that the chain mishandled meats and other perishables. The suit, which seeks $2.5 billion in damages, charges ABC with fraud, trespassing and other illegal methods of obtaining information. In opening arguments last week, attorneys for Food Lion said ABC had engaged in a pattern of deception because news producers lied to obtain employment at the chain.
its trucking operations Dec. 17 unless Teamsters Local 878 can get a postponement. Harvest, under Chapter 11 protection since June, could not be reached for comment. But Ron Heath, assistant business manager for the Teamsters local, told SN he believes a postponement is likely "because both parties are working very diligently" to find ways to cut costs. He said Harvest officials have told the Teamsters the company must cut warehouse costs by $1.1 million as part of a financial reorganization plan that must be submitted in mid-January.
David Nichol is slated to step down as president of Cott Corp., Toronto, to concentrate on developing the beverage company's food subsidiary, of which he owns 25%. Gerald Pencer, Cott chairman and chief executive officer, will add the president's title.
