BUSINESS DIGEST || Giant Eagle product a part of listeria recall

Fried-rice recall

YOUNGSTOWN

Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle has been informed that products containing fried rice sold in the prepared-foods department are a part of a national recall due to a potential contamination with listeria.

Listeria is a type of bacterium that infects through contaminated food.

The fried-rice products supplied by Garland Ventures Limited has been recalled nationally.

The Giant Eagle’s recall includes affected product purchased in-store since May 2.

At this time, there are no confirmed cases of illness among Giant Eagle customers.

Customers who have purchased the affected product should not consume it and may safely dispose of it. Customers also may bring their receipts to their local Giant Eagle where they will receive a refund.

Senators to airlines: Drop bag fees to shorten lines

DALLAS

Two U.S. senators say one way to reduce long airport security lines this summer is for airlines to drop their fees on checking luggage.

It’s the latest suggestion for dealing with what could be a hellish summer at the nation’s airports. Airlines already are warning passengers to arrive at least two hours early to get through security and catch their flights.

Massachusetts Democrat Edward Markey and Connecticut Democrat Richard Blumenthal said Tuesday they asked executives at 12 airlines to drop checked-bag fees this summer.

The senators say suspending the fees won’t eliminate lines, but it’s a start.

A spokeswoman for the nation’s largest airlines called the senators’ proposal a misguided attempt to re-regulate airlines and could make airline travel more expensive – fares would rise to offset the loss of money from fees.

Budweiser to become ‘America’

NEW YORK

There’s no trademark on America.

Budweiser, owned by Belgium’s AB Inbev, will rename its beer “America” this summer and alter its labels with images and phrases affiliated with the republic.

The red, white and blue campaign is being launched into a very competitive market already foamy with craft beers, and upon a drinking public bracing itself for a presidential election likely to be unlike any before it.

Staples, Office Depot merger plan blocked

WASHINGTON

A federal judge has blocked the proposed merger of Staples and Office Depot, saying the government had made the case that the merger had a “reasonable probability” of hurting competition in office supplies.

The injunction issued Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan likely means the last two national office-supply chains will drop their $6.3 billion merger plan. The companies had said they would do so if the ruling went against them.

Staff/wire reports