• Shuanghui International Holdings Ltd. has agreed to buy Smithfield Foods Inc. for approximately $4.72 billion, in a deal that will take the world’s biggest pork producer private.
• High Liner Foods announced it will expand its production in Newport News, Va. The action means an investment of $6.6 million and creation of 57 new jobs at its facility in the city, which formerly was Icelandic USA.
• Campbell Soup Co. acquired Plum Organics, the nation’s second largest organic baby food processor. Plum remains a stand-alone business, officials said.
• Del Monte Foods and Natural Balance Pet Foods Inc. announced the companies have signed a merger agreement.
• Rick Stott accepted the position of CEO for Superior Farms Lamb.
• Herr Foods Inc. has announced that Bob Clark joined the company as vice president of marketing.
• Kettle Cuisine announced that Joe Rainert will take on the role of chief executive officer.
• Bellisio Foods is buying frozen-food supplier Overhill Farms for $81 million.
• Rick Peterson has been promoted to senior vice president of Nutritionals, Food and Beverage at Rochem International Inc.
• Bell Flavors & Fragrances opened an innovation center in Guadalajara, Mexico.
• Inventure Foods Inc. has received certification from the Gluten-Free Certification Organization for its Boulder Canyon Natural Foods products.
• Long John Silver’s named Marie Zhang as chief food innovation officer.
• B&G Foods Inc. acquired the TrueNorth brand from DeMet’s Candy Co.
• The FRS Co. has announced that Richard Libonate will rejoin the company as senior vice president of sales.
• Land O’Lakes Inc. announced that Autumn Veazey will join Land O’Lakes Inc. in early May as the new director of government relations.
• Annie’s Inc. announced the appointment of Ed Aaron to the newly created position of senior vice president of Strategic Planning and Investor Relations.
